Last Name Richard

Learn more about the origin of the last name Richard

The meaning and origin of the last name Richard

The surname Richard originates from the Old French personal name Ricard, which is derived from the Germanic name Rikhard or Richart. The name is composed of the elements "ric" meaning power or ruler, and "hart" meaning hardy, brave, or strong. It became popular in England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, when many Normans brought the name with them to England. Over time, various spellings such as Richard, Dickard, and D'Arcy emerged due to regional dialects and scribal variations. Throughout history, notable figures bearing the surname Richard include King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart, and the author Sir Walter Scott. The surname Richard is now commonly found in many English-speaking countries and has multiple variants due to patronymic and locative origins.

Geographical distribution of the last name Richard

The surname Richard is widely distributed across various regions worldwide, reflecting its historical origins and subsequent migrations. It originates from Germany, where it is still common, particularly in regions such as Bavaria and Westphalia. The name also has a significant presence in France, England, and Ireland due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, during which many Normans (who were originally Norse Vikings who settled in what is now northern France) brought the name with them. In North America, Richard is most frequent in English-speaking countries like the United States and Canada, but it also appears in Spanish-speaking populations, particularly in Mexico and Puerto Rico, due to colonial influences. Additionally, there are substantial communities of people with the surname Richard in Australia and New Zealand, largely as a result of British colonization.

Variants and spellings of the last name Richard

The last name Richard, or its variations, has several spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include:

* Ricard (French)
* Rickert (German)
* Rikard (Scandinavian)
* Rycharde (old English)
* Rykhard (Dutch)
* Richart (Italian)
* Rychard (Polish)
* Ricardo (Spanish, Portuguese and Filipino)
* Dickard (Anglicized form of German Rickert)
* D'Riche (Irish)
* De Riccardis (Sicilian)
* Richardson (an English patronymic surname derived from the given name Richard)
* Richardsen (a Norwegian variant of Richardson)
* Richarz (Czech and Slovak)
* Riker (Dutch, English, and American; possibly a nickname from Reyer or Ryke meaning "rich" in Dutch, or an altered form of Richard)
* Ritchie (an anglicized form of Richard, or a Scottish form of Ricker)
* Richartz (German)
* Rychert (Polish)

These variations and spellings highlight the international origins of the surname Richard.

Famous people with the last name Richard

Notable individuals with the surname Richard include:

1. Lionel Richie, an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a member of the music group Commodores before launching a solo career. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is known for hits such as "Hello" and "Say You, Say Me."

2. Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, geologist, and author who is best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. His book "On the Origin of Species" (1859) is considered one of the most influential works in the history of science.

3. Richard Branson, a British entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Virgin Group, a global brand that controls more than 400 companies. He is also known for his ventures into space tourism with Virgin Galactic.

4. Sir Ian McKellen, an English actor who has had a prolific career in film, television, and theatre. His notable roles include Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and Magneto in the "X-Men" series.

5. Richard Wright, an American jazz pianist and composer who was one of the founding members of the groundbreaking band, Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz Quartet. He is considered a key figure in the development of free jazz.

Genealogical research on the last name Richard

The surname Richard originated from Germany and France, derived from a personal name Richart or Richard, which was popular among the Normans. The Normans, originally Viking settlers in Normandy, France, became prominent during the High Middle Ages, and their influence extended to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name Richard is believed to be composed of 'ric' meaning powerful or ruler, and 'hard,' brave or hardy, which would translate to 'strong ruler' or 'brave leader.' Variations of the surname include De Ricardo, Dickard, Dicker, and Derick. Notable individuals with this name include Richard the Lionheart, King of England, and Richard Branson, British business magnate and founder of Virgin Group. The surname Richard is quite common in both France and English-speaking countries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Richard"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025