Reichert

Reichert is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the German element reich, meaning rich or powerful, and has historically been used as a status or occupational name. The name is found throughout German-speaking regions and has spread to other countries, where variants such as Reichert, Reichardt, or Reichhart may be encountered.

In science and industry, Reichert appears as a brand or corporate name related to the manufacture of optical and laboratory instruments. Reichert-branded instruments have historically been associated with fields such as ophthalmology, histology, and other precision measurement applications, and the name remains connected to specialized equipment in some markets.

In chemistry, the Reichert-Meissl (RM) number is a standard analytical parameter used to assess fats and oils. The RM number reflects the content of volatile short-chain fatty acids that distill under defined conditions, providing a criterion for classifying fats and oils and for distinguishing fats of animal origin from plant fats. The method originates from early 20th-century work by Reichert and Meissl and continues to be cited in food science and lipid chemistry, although modern analyses have introduced complementary approaches.

Notable bearers of the Reichert surname appear across various fields, including science, culture, and business, reflecting the name’s broad historical presence. The term Reichert thus can refer to people, a family name, and to uses in industry and analytical chemistry, depending on the context.