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Last Name Risch

What is the origin of the last name Risch?

The surname "Risch" is of German origin. It is derived from a place name, either Risch (a municipality in Switzerland) or one of several locations named Riesch (in Bavaria, Germany and South Tyrol, Italy). In these areas, the name was originally a topographic name for someone who lived by a piece of arable land known as a "ritsch" or "riesch," which referred to a small field that had been reclaimed from waste or forest. The surname is also found in other German-speaking regions and has been taken to various parts of the world by German settlers.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Risch

The meaning and origin of the last name Risch

The surname Risch is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "rîz" or "rize," which means "rice." It's one of the many German surnames that were originally occupational names for people who dealt with rice, such as farmers or merchants. This name may have been geographical, referring to a place where rice was grown, or it could have been a nickname for someone who resembled something associated with rice, like their complexion or behavior. The spelling variants of the surname include Riess, Reiss, and Reish, reflecting differences in German dialects over time. Today, the Risch name is most prevalent in Germany, but it can also be found among German diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Risch

The surname Risch is predominantly distributed in German-speaking regions, particularly Germany and Switzerland. In Germany, it is most common in the southern states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. In Switzerland, it is found primarily in the German-speaking cantons of Aargau, Zurich, and Basel-Stadt. Smaller numbers of individuals with the surname Risch can also be found in other parts of Europe such as Austria and France. Outside of Europe, there are significant populations in the United States, Canada, and Australia, mostly among German or Swiss immigrants or their descendants. The distribution of the name Risch reflects historical migration patterns from these European regions to other continents.

Variants and spellings of the last name Risch

The surname Risch has several variations and spellings. They include Rich, Riches, Rysh, Rische, Rysch, Ryss, Ryshce, Rysz, Ryszczak, Ryszkiewicz, and possibly others due to differences in transliteration or regional pronunciations. These variants may be found throughout German-speaking regions, as well as among individuals of German descent worldwide. The name is an occupational one, derived from the Middle High German word "ritsc" which meant a messenger or herald. This variation and its spelling permutations reflect the diversity in how such names have been passed down through history, influenced by factors like language changes, migration patterns, and personal preference.

Famous people with the last name Risch

Notable individuals with the last name Risch include:

1. Richard A. Risch (born 1947) - an American politician who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 2009 to 2016.

2. David J. Risch (1935-2013) - an American geographer and academic who served as the dean of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from 1984 to 1993.

3. Daniel Risch (born 1967) - an American lawyer who is a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, serving since September 2018.

4. David G. Risch (1953-1995) - an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives from 1985 to 1989 and was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Utah in 1992.

5. Eric Risch (born 1960) - an American politician who has been a member of the Nebraska Legislature since 2009, representing the district of Fremont County.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as politics, academia, law, and education.

Genealogical research on the last name Risch

The surname Risch is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German "risk" meaning "reef" or "shoal." It was primarily concentrated in regions such as Saxony, Thuringia, and Hesse. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Conrad Risch, who lived in the early 1300s in the town of Eilenburg, Saxony. The Risch family tree can be traced back to Johann Heinrich Risch, born in 1652 in Schleusingen, Thuringia. He had several children, one of whom was Christoph Risch, who emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania in the late 1700s. The Risch family continued to grow and expand throughout the United States over subsequent generations, with significant populations found in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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