Reech last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Reech is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Reech.

Meaning of Reech

A name of German origin meaning "rich" or "prosperous."

Reech, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Reech surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Reech in America

Reech is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Reech surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Reech.

The history of the last name Reech

The surname Reech has its origins traced back to Western Europe, specifically Germany, around the medieval period. The name likely derived from the Middle High German word "reiche," which means rich or powerful. This etymology suggests that individuals with this surname were possibly of significant wealth or influence in their local communities.

The earliest mentions of the name can be found in records from the Holy Roman Empire. One of the first documented appearances is in the mid-12th century in the region of modern-day Germany. Manuscripts from the time, including land ownership records and tax registries, often list a family named Reech located in small villages surrounding today's North Rhine-Westphalia.

An important historical reference to the name includes a 13th-century document where Dietrich Reech was mentioned as a local landowner in Bavaria, recorded in a charter dated 1275. This suggests that the surname had a notable presence in various parts of medieval Germany.

During the Protestant Reformation, a notable individual named Johann Reech, born around 1501 and dying in 1565, was reported as a fervent supporter of Martin Luther's reforms. His contributions to the movement are noted in the town of Wittenberg, where he lived and propagated Luther’s ideas among the local populace.

Subsequently, the surname also found its way into French records, primarily in the Alsace region, where Germanic names were common due to historical geopolitical shifts. By the 16th century, names such as Reech started appearing in parish registers. An early figure, Louise Reech, born in 1580 in Strasbourg, is noted in baptismal records, indicating the name's presence in France as well.

The name Reech also appears in the context of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Dominik Reech, an 18th-century military officer serving in the Imperial Army, further exemplifies the surname’s spread across European territories. His records from 1772 provide insights into the career of a man who served diligently in military campaigns of the time.

Lastly, Vincent Reech (1803-1871), noted for his architectural achievements in Vienna, was an influential figure. His designs contributed to the urban landscape and are still studied in architectural circles today.

The surname has thus traversed various regions and historical contexts, appearing in several prominent areas and among noted individuals from the medieval to modern period, highlighting its enduring presence and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Reech

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Reech.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Reech was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 91.43% 96
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 4.76% 5
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Reech was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Reech, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Reech last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/reech-surname-popularity/.

"Reech last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/reech-surname-popularity/. Accessed 13 May, 2025

Reech last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/reech-surname-popularity/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.