RICH
The surname Rich is of English origin and is most commonly found within the British Isles. It is associated with the country of England, the language of English and traditionally with the Christian faith.
The name was first recorded in the Middle English period and is derived from the word riche, which meant wealthy or powerful. In its earliest use it functioned as a nickname for a person who was prosperous or who held a high social status within his community.
In addition to this nickname origin, the surname also possesses two further independent derivations. One is a short form of the Germanic personal name Richard, itself composed of the elements ric (power) and hard (brave, hardy). The third possible origin is topographic, deriving from the Old English and Germanic word ric meaning a stream or channel, indicating residence by such a watercourse. Evidence of this locational origin can be seen in places named with the element ric, such as the ancient village now called Glynde Reach in Sussex or the lost village of Riche in Leicestershire.
The surname has been recorded with many spelling variations in historical documents. In England it appears as Rich, Riche, Riches, Ritche, Rickman and Richman. In France it is found as Ruiche, Leriche, Ricq; in Italy as Ricci, Ricco, Richi and Richichi; in Germany as Reich and Reicher; and in Spain as Rico and Rica. These variations illustrate the surname’s spread beyond its original English context while retaining the same core etymology.
Early documented instances of the name include Mosse le Riche of Gloucestershire in 1195, Ricardus de la Riche of Hampshire in 1200 and Lucia Richman of Cambridge in the Hundred Rolls of landowners in 1273. The earliest surviving spelling that can be identified is that of Godwinus le Riche, dated in 1177 in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire during the reign of King Henry XI.
Consequently, the surname Rich encapsulates a history that ranges from a descriptive nickname for affluence, to a connection with the prominent given name Richard, to a geographical indicator of settlement by a stream. Its persistence in records across centuries underscores its significance within English genealogical studies.
Typical given names associated with the Rich surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Alison
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Riches
- Riche
- Richa
- Richau
- Riach
- Richen
- Richar
- Richan
- Richer
- Richel
- Richd
- Riched
- Ric
- Rica
- Richi
- Richo
- Richey
- Richez
- Richie
- Richis
- Richl
- Richs
- Richt
- Richy
- Rioch
- Ritch
- Ritche
- Ritches
- Ritchi
- Ritchie
- Wrich
- Richal
- Richam
- Richet
- Richeux
- Richies
- Richin
- Richly
- Richol
- Richon
- Richoux
- Richu
- Rioche
- Ritched
- Ritchey
- Ritchies
- Ritchis
- Roich
- Rash
- Reich
- Rocha
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Rich in...
Braille
⠗⠊⠉⠓
Morse
.-...-.-.....
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Rich are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Digestive.
There are approximately 7,300 people named Rich in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,280th most common surname in Britain. Around 112 in a million people in Britain are named Rich.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Rich
- Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick - Royal Navy admiral (1587 to 1658)
- Jeff Rich - Drummer
- Roy Rich - Broadcaster (1911 to 1970)
- Vera Rich - Poet, journalist, historian, and translator (1936 to 2009)
- Sir Robert Rich, 4th Baronet - Cavalry officer (1685 to 1768)
- Matthew Rich - Ice hockey player
- Lillian Rich - -born American actress (1900 to 1954)
- Hannah Rich - Racing cyclist
- Charles Rich - American lawyer and politician (1771 to 1824)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.