What is the origin and meaning of the surname Riker?

Question

The only sites I can find with information want to charge for it, but I thought there would be someone out there with this last name that could tell me.

Answer 1

This is all I could find in connection with the name

Riker Name Meaning and History

German: variant of Rieck 2.

hope this helps.

Answer 2

Swiss and German origin.

variations include :Reich. Reiche. Reichs. Reicher. Reick. Reicke. Reicker. Reichers. Rike. Ryke. Reichle. Reichel. Riker. Rieger. Ricker  etc.

The meaning ?

Reich : rich or wealthy.

Reicher : rich or wealthy man or woman.

Answer 3

Try looking at the following link, as this person has done a great deal of research into the name -

http://www.rikers.org/riker_history.html

It is originally a German name from Lower Saxony. They possessed the Estate or Manor of Rycken from which they took their name, which was later changed to Von Rycken. But read this website it's very informative. The name was gradually changed over the years to Riker.

Answer 4

I would be willing to bet money that the name is originally Reicher or something different.  You would only know that by identifying your direct ancestor, which then leads to the census (which has place of birth).  I did a quick check of the 1900 census, and also find someone with this name, who was born in France, and it shows his immigration was 1861. This, by the way, does not mean all of them came from France, many were born in the US.  Reicher likely would come from Germany.  

It is VERY often wrong to look for the alledged origin of a name, when reality shows it can come from more than one place.. or, the PERSON with the name can come from different places. If this is a school assignment.. it is unfortunate that many teachers don't realize this, if they have never researched at all.