Reigel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Reigel

What does the name Reigel mean?

The roots of the distinguished German surname Reigel lie in the southern regions of Swabia, Bavaria, and Austria. The name is derived from the Middle High German words "reigel" or "reiger," both meaning "heron." The name was likely first bestowed on someone thought to have the characteristics of a heron as a nickname, eventually becoming a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the Reigel family

The surname Reigel was first found in Swabia, where the name is thought to have originated. The documents listing the earliest known bearer of the name have been traced to this region, where B. den Raiger was recorded to be living in Mengen, Württemburg in 1275. The young Reigel family was instrumental during this early period, playing a crucial role in the development of medieval Swabian society.

Early History of the Reigel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reigel research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1493, 1525, 1660 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Reigel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reigel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reigel, Reigle, Reiger, Reigl and others.

Early Notables of the Reigel family

More information is included under the topic Early Reigel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reigel migration to the United States +

Reigel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anty Reigel, aged 24, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 1
Burgt Reigel, aged 21, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Reigel (post 1700) +

William Ernest "Bill" Reigel (1932-1993), American basketball player and coach
Wava Reigel, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 2004 2

Sources +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html