RICHARD

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Richard

Richard is a surname of Old Germanic origin, derived from the personal name Richard. The name comes from the Old German words ric, meaning "power" or "rule", and hard, meaning "brave" or "strong". It was a popular personal name among the Norman and Angevin dynasties.

The surname Richard is widely spread across the United Kingdom, with concentrations in various regions such as the West Midlands, South East England, and Yorkshire. The name has also seen migration to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Richard include British singer Cliff Richard, known for his successful music career spanning several decades, and British actress Kim Victoria Cattrall, who played the iconic character Samantha Jones in the television series Sex and the City.

The surname Richard continues to be passed down through generations, contributing to the rich tapestry of British surnames and genealogy.

There are approximately 2,514 people named Richard in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,494th most common surname in Britain. Around 39 in a million people in Britain are named Richard.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Region of origin: Europe

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
Anthony
Christopher
David
James
John
Mark
Michael
Paul
Robert
Stephen
William

Female

Antonia
Christine
Jane
Janet
Julie
Katherine
Louise
Margaret
Mary
Sarah
Susan
Venessa

Similar and related surnames

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