Reichhard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Reichhard

What does the name Reichhard mean?

The surname Reichhard is a Bavarian nickname surname. German nicknames came from eke-names, or added names, and tended to describe a physical characteristic or other attribute of their initial bearer. Reichhard is a name for a brave or strong person. It is a common name among the English, French, and Flemish/Dutch communities, as well as the German, and stems from the words ric, meaning power, and hard, meaning hardy or strong.

Early Origins of the Reichhard family

The surname Reichhard was first found in Bavaria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. The literal meaning of the name is "brave ruler," and chronicles first mention Hantsch Richard of Liegnitz in 1381, and Hans Reichart of Friedland in 1381. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Reichhard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reichhard research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1733, 1749, 1751, 1752, 1758, 1788, 1814, 1828, 1837 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Reichhard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reichhard Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Reichhard include Reichhard, Reichhart, Reichard, Reichart, Reichardt, Reickhard, Reichheart, Reikhard, Reickhart, Richard, Reichert and many more.

Early Notables of the Reichhard family

Prominent among members of the name Reichhard in this period include Johann Friedrich Reichardt (1752-1814), who was the court composer and conductor to Frederick the Great and Frederick II, and was a friend of Goethe's. He instituted many reforms, was dismissed for sympathizing with the French revolution, and went on to write twelve operas and over one hundred songs.Johanne Wilhelmine Siegmundine Reichard...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reichhard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reichhard family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Joseph Reichardt, who sailed to New York in 1709. Among the many other immigrants to follow this first settler were: Reinhart Reichart, who sailed to Philadelphia in 1732.