Rickert
A surname that began as a short form of Richard and related Germanic names, especially in Dutch and German usage.
The #6,232 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 56,310 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Rickert is a surname formed from the old Germanic personal name Richard, with the familiar first element ric- meaning “power” or “rule.” In Dutch and German naming, Rickert functions as a shortened or reshaped form of Richard, and in some contexts it also developed as a patronymic base for “son of Rickert.” The name ultimately goes back to the Germanic compound name made from “ruler/power” plus a second element meaning “hard, strong.”
History
The surname is especially associated with Dutch and German forms, and Harrison explicitly treats the American surname Rickert as an Anglicized form of Dutch Rijkert. Similar variants such as Richert, Reichert, Riegert, and Rickert are found in Germanic naming traditions, showing how the same old personal name produced several regional spellings. In English-speaking countries, Rickert was likely reinforced by immigration and by the broader use of Richard-based surnames.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Germanic name family produced a surprising number of spellings across Europe, so Rickert can look distinct while still sharing roots with Richard and Reichert.
From the historical record
“Rickardson, q.v. RICKERT, an Anglicized (American) form of the Dutch Rijkert = Rickard, Richard, q.v. RICKERTS, Rickert's (Son). RICKERTSON, Rickert's Son. RICKET \ = RIok (q.v.) + the Fr. dim. suff. RICKETT J -et. , The mod. French form of this name is”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)