Surname Reckert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Reckert: What does the surname Reckert mean?
The last name Reckert is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'recken' meaning 'strongman'. This suggests that the original bearers of the name were people of great strength, stamina, and endurance. Over time, the spelling of the name has been altered to Reckert, and this is now found among many German-speaking countries, as well as in other parts of the world where German immigrants have settled.
A large number of Reckerts can today be found in Germany, mainly in the Lower Saxony area, as well as in Austria, parts of Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries in Europe.
The surname Reckert is thought to be occupational in origin, with people bearing the name having originally been employed as servants, or in some type of physical labor where strength and endurance were needed. This is suggestive of a desire to work and the name may have been chosen to denote the hardworking, industrious nature of the Reckerts.
The surname Reckert is also known to be associated with large numbers of nobles, who pursued many different interests and often had successful careers. This suggests that the name has been bestowed upon many generations and is an important part of German culture and a reminder of the solid foundations of past generations.
Order DNA origin analysisReckert: Where does the name Reckert come from?
The last name Reckert can be found in many parts of the world, particularly Europe, North America, and Australasia. In Europe, countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have the most common concentration of the last name Reckert. It is also found in other parts of the continent such as the Netherlands, France, and the Czech Republic. In North America, the United States and Canada are home to a large number of Reckerts, with the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey in particular having a higher concentration. In Australia, Reckerts are mostly concentrated in Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. Worldwide, Reckert is a relatively rare name, falling somewhere in the range of rank 17,052-22,482. While this isn't a particularly common surname, it is still relatively widespread and can be found in most parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Reckert
The surname Reckert is a German surname with several potential variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. Some of these variants include Recker, Reker, Recktor, Rektor, Rekker, Reckard, Reichert, Reicher, Reider, Rehder, Reutter, and Rüter. Each of these variants shares a similar etymology, deriving from the Middle Low German word “reckere,” meaning “strong” or “powerful.”
The spelling Reckert is typically seen in Germany or the German-speaking areas of Switzerland and Austria. It is sometimes found with a double "t," as in Reckkert. Another variant seen in Germany is Recher, while in Austria and Hungary, the forms Reischer and Reczer are common.
In the United States and Canada, the most often seen spelling of this surname is Reichert. This variant is thought to have been created by Ellis Island officials who Americanized the spelling of Germanic surnames for the US census.
Schnieder, a spelling variant seen in Luxembourg, is thought to have been a corruption of the German Remer, and may have also been based on the “reckere” etymology. The form Roof, seen in Pennsylvania, was likely a phoneticized adaptation of the same Germanic root. Other variants, like Reker and Rehder (seen in the Netherlands and Belgium) could be Old Dutch adaptations of the Germanic root.
In Sweden, the spelling Reuter and the form Rüter are seen. This Swedish spelling is thought to have developed from the Middle Low German Reuter, which was either derived from "reckere," or derived from the German word “reuten,” meaning “rider.”
The Reckert surname is an example of how the adaptation and evolution of root names can lead to a variety of spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Reckert
- Hans Reckert- German saber fencer; competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Carl Herbert Reckert- German writer and editor
- Clyde Reckert- American photographer and World War II veteran
- Joe Reckert- Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
- Robert Reckert- American sculptor and art critic
- Robert Dean Reckert- American screenwriter and writer
- Sharon Reckert- Radio personality and presenter in Southern California
- Jacob Reckert Guggenburg- American philanthropist and founder in 19th century
- Kevin Reckert- American lawyer and criminal defense attorney
- Calvin Leon Reckert- American World War II veteran and Navy Cross recipient