Surname Riggeal - Meaning and Origin
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Riggeal: What does the surname Riggeal mean?
The last name Riggeal is of English origin and means “from Riggal” or “of Riggal”. Riggal was a medieval town located in the East Riding of Yorkshire in England. The town was once an important stop for trade between London and Hull.
Riggal had its first mention in the Doomsday Book of 1086, and was part of the estate of Lord Mauger, one of the highest-ranking barons in the kingdom. The town was destroyed during the 16th or 17th century when the Duke of York granted land to the Clifford family. Today, the area consists of a few farmhouses and a few ruined buildings.
The name Riggeal is found in England and Scotland, as well as other parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. The name suggests that an ancestor of the Riggeal family at some point travelled from England or Scotland to these countries.
Those having the Riggeal last name may enjoy uncovering the details of their family history and finding out how their ancestors came to settle in their chosen countries. With a little research, it may even be possible to uncover the name of the town the Riggeal family came from and to better understand the origin of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisRiggeal: Where does the name Riggeal come from?
The last name Riggeal is most commonly found in the United States, primarily in the South. It is believed to have originated in Germany, as a variation of the surname Riegle. In the United States it is most highly concentrated in middle Tennessee, particularly in Robertson, Montgomery, and Cheatham counties. It is also quite common in East Baton Rouge Louisianna; especially near the city of Baker. Other notable concentrations are in southeastern Texas in Montgomery and Chambers counties, and in southeastern Georgia in Laurens county.
In the 1880 census, it was the 300th most common surname in the United States. Today, the last name Riggeal is still fairly common in the United States, although not quite as prevalent. According to the 2018 US census, it ranked in the top 2,500 for most common last names in the United States.
The Riggeal family has a rich history in the United States, particularly in the South. The most prominent member of the family was Chelcie Charles “Chuck” Riggeal, who served with distinction as an officer in the United States Navy during World War II. His exploits in the Pacific Theater earned him the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and various other medals and citations for his bravery and service to his country. He also served as the American Ambassador to the nation of Kuwait from 1981-1985.
Overall, the last name Riggeal is still fairly common in the United States, and its most notable figure was a distinguished veteran of WWII.
Variations of the surname Riggeal
Riggeal is a surname that has evolved over time and can be spelled in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: Rigal, Riggall, Rigel, Rigell, Rygel, and Ridgell. These names may have been derived from the Middle English roots of the name Richele, which means powerful or strong. It is likely that Riggeal is a misspelling of the original Richele.
Riggeal is also related to names such as Ridgely, Richley, Riggles, Rigles, Rigby, Rijkel, and Regal. These variants can reflect the various branches of the Riggeal family tree. The name, which likely originated in England, has been found in other regions such as Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States.
Additionally, Riggeal is similar to surnames such as Rigott, Righetti, Rigol, Riggleman, and Riggle. It is possible that these surnames derived from Riggeal but with a slight alteration of spellings, since names became increasingly anglicized with time.
The variations of Riggeal illustrate the evolution of surnames with the passage of time and geographical location. Thus, Riggeal remains a widely used and highly adaptable surname.
Famous people with the name Riggeal
- Greta Riggeal: an American actress, best known for her roles in several Broadway musicals such as Grease and South Pacific.
- Dorothy Riggeal: an American-born singer, dancer and musician who was a popular performer in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Kurt Riggeal: a German gymnast who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, winning several medals.
- Joubert Riggeal: a French hurdler who competed in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and won a silver medal.
- Ken Riggeal: a former US Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during the Vietnam War.
- William Riggeal: an American painter and sculptor, known for his vibrant and abstract works.
- Clint Riggeal: an American athlete who won medals in hurdling and high jump at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
- Mark Riggeal: a British musician who has composed, arranged and produced for musicians and singers in the UK and US.
- Roma Riggeal: a Canadian actress who has appeared in several television shows and films, including Mrs. Claus and Santa Surfers.
- Page Riggeal: a Canadian ice hockey player who was a first-round draft pick in the 1972 NHL draft by the California Golden Seals.