Reichrig

Reichrig is a surname of German origin. The name is a variant of the Middle High German compound words rein, meaning “pure” or “royal,” and riche, meaning “rich.” It has historically been used as a by‑name for individuals of wealth or high social standing in German-speaking regions. The spelling variation gukch The earliest documented use dates to the late 13th century in the southern German states, where it appears in tax records of the County of Hohenstein. Over time, the name spread to western Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The Reichrig family became notable in the 16th and 17th centuries for their involvement in regional politics and commerce. A family member, Johann Reichrig (1523–1591), served as mayor of the town of Wittenberg and was recorded as a patron of the arts during the early Protestant Reformation. In the 18th century, Franz Reichrig (1705–1770) was known in Dresden for his contributions to early botanical studies, publishing a catalogue of local flora. The name continued into the modern era with the Austrian sportsperson Paula Reichrig, an alpine skier who competed in the 1968 Winter Olympics.

Today the surname is most common in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and is also present among diaspora communities in North America and Australia. Major genealogical resources include the German “Verzeichnis der Nachkommen des Reichrig” and the EU population register. The surname remains relatively uncommon, with only a few hundred individuals bearing the name worldwide.