RICE

Rice

Origin and Meaning: The surname Rice is of English, Irish, and Welsh origin. In England, the name derives from the Old English word "risc," which means "rush," possibly indicating a person living by rushes or on damp land. Another theory suggests that it could have originated from the Norman personal name "Ris," itself derived from the Old Norse name "Hrösekr." In Ireland, Rice is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Maolchraoibhe," meaning "descendant of the follower of St. Cróebh."

History: The Rice surname has a long history, with records dating back to medieval times. The name has been found in various regions across the United Kingdom, particularly in Wales and Ireland, where it is relatively common.

Notable Individuals:

• Condoleezza Rice: American diplomat and political scientist who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State.
• Tim Rice: British lyricist known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber on musicals such as “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Evita.”
• Damian Rice: Irish singer-songwriter known for his introspective and melodic music.

Variants: Variants of the surname Rice include Rees, Reese, Rhys (Welsh), and Mac Giolla Ruis (Irish).

References:

• Reaney, P.H., and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
• Hanks, P., and Hodges, F. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1988.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

• Andrew
• Anthony
• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Paul
• Peter
• Stephen

Female

• Angela
• Catherine
• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Helen
• Jacqueline
• Linda
• Margaret
• Mary
• Nicola
• Patricia
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.