Surname Richards - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Cultural and Historical Significance of my Surname-Richards through iGenEA DNA Test

Embarking upon a fascinating journey into the past through the iGENEA DNA test, I delved deep into the cultural and historical origins of my surname, Richards. The exploration narrated a compelling story of my lineage, connecting me to the ancient regions of England and Wales and uncovering a heritage intertwined with the brave rulers of the Middle Ages.

X. Richards

Richards: What does the surname Richards mean?

The surname Richards is of English and German origin and is patronymic, meaning it is derived from the personal name of a father or ancestor. Specifically, Richards is derived from the personal name Richard, composed of the elements "ric", meaning "power", and "hard", meaning "hardy" or "brave". Therefore, the meaning of Richards can be interpreted as "son (or descendant) of the powerful and brave one". This surname became popular in England from the time of the Norman Conquest when William the Conqueror appointed several Richards as key commanders. Today, it is a common surname in many English-speaking countries.

Richards: Where does the name Richards come from?

The last name Richards is common in various parts of the world today. In the United States, the name is most common in California, Texas, and Florida, with the highest concentration found in California. According to the last census, Richards was one of the top 1000 surnames in the United States.

Within North American, the surname is especially popular in Canada, where it ranks as the 41st most common surname in the country.

Elsewhere, it is a relatively common surname in the United Kingdom, ranking as the 246th most common name. It is also common throughout parts of Europe, including France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. It is also a popular name in Poland, where it is among the top 100 surnames.

Outside of Europe, the surname is especially popular in Australia and New Zealand, where it also appears among the top 100 surnames. It is also popular in various parts of Asia, including Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Richards is a truly international surname, as befitting its English origins. Today it is among the most commonly found surnames around the world, a testament to its richness and cultural appeal.

Variations of the surname Richards

The surname Richards is an anglicised form of the Old German surname "Richer". This form of the surname was brought to England by the Normans during the medieval period. Variants of the surname Richards include the spellings Richards, Richard, Richess, Richosse, Richorse, Richardes, Richers, Rickers, Richerods and Richerds. Other surnames derived from the same root and meaning are: Ritcher, Ritching, Richardot, Ryder, Ride, Reed, Reist, and Ratcliff.

In America, Richards is an especially common surname. It is the 117th most common surname in the United States. Particularly in the mid-Atlantic region, it is one of the most frequently encountered surnames. The three most prevalent variants of the name in the United States are Richard, Richards, and Richardson. In the U.K. the surname is the 25th most common, with the majority of bearers hailing from south-west England or the North-West.

Richards remains one of the most prevalent surnames in the English-speaking world. Variants of the name can be found all across the Commonwealth countries and it has retained its popularity over hundreds of years.

Famous people with the name Richards

• Keith Richards: Legendary musician, founding member of The Rolling Stones
• Denzel Washington: Award-winning actor
• Christina Ricci: Actress
• Nicole Richie: TV personality
• Sheryl Crow: Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter
• Dame Vivienne Westwood: Fashion designer
• Kathy Richards: Singer and elder sister of Keith
• Lionel Richie: Singer and songwriter
• Billie Piper: Actress and singer
• Chris Richards: Professional MMA fighter
• Jack Whitehall: Actor and comedian
• Patrick Richards: American professional basketball player
• Sir Michael Richards: English stage, film and television actor
• Karl-Anthony Towns: American professional basketball player
• Joely Richardson: Actress
• Johnny Richards: Jazz composer and arranger
• Katherine McNamara: Actress
• Mark Richards: Surfing champion
• Dave Richards: Retired professional American football player
• Jimmie Lee Richards: Actor

Other surnames

RichardRichardiRichardsenRichardsonRichardtRichardyRicharsonRichartRicharthRichartsRichartzRicharz