RICKETS
Rickets is an English surname of Anglo‑Saxon origin that can be characterised as both a patronymic and a topographic name. The earliest sense derives from the Middle English term ryketh or the Old English riccet, meaning a “rick, heap, or pile”. It is common that individuals in medieval England were identified by prominent geographical features, and the name would be applied to those dwelling near a notable heap, such as a hayrick or a ridge of land.
The patronymic element of the surname is connected to the medieval personal name Richard, which is of Germanic origin. The name is composed of the elements ric (meaning “power” or “rule”) and hard (meaning “hardy”, “brave” or “strong”). As a result, Rickets literally indicates “the son of Richard”. An alternative theoretical derivation links the surname to the personal name Richer, in which the Germanic elements ric and heri or hari (meaning “army”) appear. In either case the suffix s is understood as a patronymic marker.
Historical records show the surname in several earlier forms, including Ricards, Rickett and Ricketts. The first documented spelling is that of Hester Rickett, who married John Scarborough in 1606 at St. Mary Aldermary, London. The name also appears in the 1275 Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire as Robert Ricote, indicating an established presence in the English countryside during the thirteenth century.
In 1773 a coat of arms was granted to William Ricards, an ancestor of the modern Rickets family, for his service at the conquest of Jamaica. The blazon describes an erminois field upon a chevron, surmounted by three red roses and a pair of swords in proper, crossed in saltire. This heraldic achievement has been associated with the Rickets lineage ever since.
Statistical information confirms that Rickets is a relatively uncommon surname in contemporary Britain. In 2010 there were an estimated 265 individuals bearing the name in England and Wales, placing it at number 18 495 in terms of popularity. The concentration remains highest in the south‑eastern part of England, where many families can trace their ancestry to rural settlements linked to ridges or heaps.
Across the Atlantic, the surname occurs seldomly but is steadily increasing. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 403 record holders, making the name the 14 541st most common surname. Between 1990 and 2000 the frequency grew by nearly 20 %, signalling a gradual rise in popularity. The name is also found, though less frequently, in Canada, Australia and South Africa, as well as in Scotland, Ireland, India and parts of the Caribbean.
Several variants and spelling changes have arisen over the centuries, reflecting regional pronunciation, literacy levels and the influence of Norman French and Germanic sounds. These include Rikets, Rykets, Ricke, Rikke, Rickels, Riccius, Rickel, Rikkel, Ricks, Rycks, Ryckel, Rikette, Ritet, Riekes, Reich, Reichert, Reichel, Reichmann, Rickle, Ricker and Rickard, among others. These forms usually preserve the core Germanic elements of “ric” and either “hard” or “hari”, while accommodating the orthographic conventions of English, French and German.
In summary, the surname Rickets reflects a dual heritage: a patronymic link to the personal name Richard and a topographic connection to medieval English landscapes. Its modest prevalence, historical records, heraldic association and range of variants offer a concise illustration of how surnames can encapsulate linguistic, cultural and geographical histories.
Typical given names associated with the Rickets surname
Male
- Adam
- Dave
- Simon
Female
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Rickets in...
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There are approximately 63 people named Rickets in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Rickets.
