Reichel is a German surname originating from the root "ric," which signifies power. This distinguished name has been borne by a remarkable array of individuals across diverse professions and nationalities. Notable figures include the acclaimed German musician Achim Reichel (born 1944), known from The Rattles, and the renowned Hawaiian musician and dancer Kealiʻi Reichel (born 1962).
The surname also features prominently in sports, with French Olympian Frantz Reichel (1871–1932) and Czech-born hockey star Robert Reichel (born 1971), alongside accomplished academics such as Austrian-born anthropologist Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff (1912–1994). Beyond personal names, Reichel is notably associated with the prominent yacht design company Reichel/Pugh, and even a specific butterfly subspecies, Reichel's Margined White.