Surname Rickers - Meaning and Origin
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Rickers: What does the surname Rickers mean?
Rickers is a German last name likely derived from the Old Germanic “Riko,” meaning “conqueror of power.” The literal definition is “eminent one.” Therefore, someone with this last name would have been a strong and powerful leader in whichever part of German culture from which their family originated.
Rickers originated from an area known as Lower Saxony, which is located in northern Germany near the coast and along the North Sea. During the Middle Ages, people in this region would have had a high degree of autonomy, deciding which rulers they wanted to recognize and choosing other sorts of local laws.
Rickers may also have its roots in medieval practice known as “Rickerbau,” which was the building of Iron Age forts all over ancient Britain and Ireland. These forts, under the direction of a leader with the Rickers last name, would have provided the inhabitants a great deal of protection against raiders and invaders.
In more modern times, the Rickers family is as widespread as any other, spanning the world. However, throughout its storied history, the moniker has held true to its meaning—“conqueror of power.” Therefore, people with this last name can proudly boast that they are in a long line of strong and influential leaders whose courage, wit, and determination have been responsible for both freedom and progress.
Order DNA origin analysisRickers: Where does the name Rickers come from?
The last name Rickers is most common today in Germany. According to Deutsche-familienkunde, the German genealogical society, Rickers is among the 2,000 most frequent last names in Germany. The name originated in the Rhineland area of Germany during the 16th century and derives from the Middle Dutch word ricker ("rider, mount-knight").
The last name Rickers appears most frequently in the major North Rhine-Westphalia cities of Wuppertal, Dortmund, and Dusseldorf and their environs, but is also found in parts of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. Rickers is also a common name in the Netherlands, and is regularly used as a first name in other European countries, such as France, as well as in some Latin American countries, such as Chile.
Rickers is a rare but not unheard of name in the United States. It was among the 8,000 most common last names in the 2000 US census. The name is uncommon, however, in the United Kingdom and Canada. A few individuals bearing the last name can also be found in certain parts of Asia, primarily in the Philippines and India.
Variations of the surname Rickers
Rickers is an English and High German surname with various variant spellings. The most common forms are Ryckers, Ricker, Richer, Richter, Riccardi, Riker, Rhetiers, Rikkers, and Rhetor.
In English, the surname Rickers is thought to have originated from Old German nicknames for a powerful or influential person, derived from either the words 'ric' (ruler) or 'ric', (strong). Alternatively, it may be derived from any of the personal names Rikhard, Ricard, or Richard.
In high German, the surname Rickers is thought to derive from a combination of the pre-7th century root element “Ric” meaning power, and either the 1906 Germanic “harct” ruler or from the element “hart” strong. This may have been a nick name or occupational name for someone of great physical strength, someone with a powerful personality or simply a term of endearment. Alternatively, it may come from one of the personal names Rikhard, Ricard, or Richard.
The frequency of this surname indicates that it was probably brought to England by post medieval immigrants from the German region in the 16th century. It is relatively common in both Germany and England today.
Famous people with the name Rickers
- Tim Reed Ricketts: Tim Reed Ricketts is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the executive chairman of the family office Ricketts Group and the co-owner of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball franchise.
- Joe Ricketts: Joe Ricketts is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, former Chief Executive and former chairman of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.
- Todd Ricketts: Todd Ricketts is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the co-owner and current vice-chairman of the Chicago Cubs. He is also the chairman of the Ending Spending Action Fund and Ending Spending, Inc., a bipartisan advocacy group both founded by his father.
- Pete Ricketts: Pete Ricketts is an American businessman and the current Governor of Nebraska.
- Laura Ricketts: Laura Ricketts is a businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the executive vice president of the Chicago Cubs, the first openly gay co-owner of a major professional sports franchise.
- Tom Ricketts: Tom Ricketts is an American businessman. He is the chairman and CEO of the investment banking firm Incapital and is the chairman of the Chicago Cubs.
- Bill Ricketts: Bill Ricketts is a businessman and former Major League Baseball umpire. A pioneer and the first African American umpire in the American and National Leagues.
- Rex Ricketts: Rex Ricketts was a Canadian Actor. He is best known for playing ABC's prime-time drama Ryan's Hope.
- Kevin Ricketts: Kevin Ricketts was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward.
- Don Ricketts: Don Ricketts is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Walt in the television series Seinfeld.