RICHARDSON
Richardson
Origin and Meaning: Richardson is a common surname of English origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader." The "-son" suffix indicates "son of Richard."
History: The Richardson surname has ancient roots in England, dating back to the medieval period. It was first found in Yorkshire, where the Richardson family was an influential and noble clan. Over time, the surname spread to other regions of England and beyond, particularly to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Notable Individuals:
- Sir Ralph Richardson (1902-1983): Renowned English actor, known for his extensive stage and screen career.
- Miranda Richardson: British actress famous for her roles in films such as "The Crying Game" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
- Samuel Richardson (1689-1761): English novelist and writer, known for his groundbreaking work "Pamela" and his contribution to the development of the novel as a literary form.
Modern Distribution: The Richardson surname remains popular in Britain and is also prevalent in countries with a historical connection to England. It is among the top surnames in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada, reflecting the widespread dissemination of the Richardson family over the centuries.
Coat of Arms: The Richardson family coat of arms typically features symbols representing strength, nobility, and lineage. The design may vary based on specific branches of the Richardson clan and their heraldic traditions.
Variants: Variants of the Richardson surname include Richison, Richardsson, and Richerson.
References:
- Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Com, 1997.
- Reaney, P.H., and R. M. Wilson. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 2005.
There are approximately 92,340 people named Richardson in the UK. That makes it the 63rd most common surname in Britain. Around 1,418 in a million people in Britain are named Richardson.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- 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.