The surname Richardson is an English occupational name derived from the Middle English term "Richard's son." It was originally used as a nickname for a son named Richard and later became a hereditary surname.
The personal name Richard itself is derived from Old High German "Richard" or "Richer," which means "brave ruler." The popularity of the given name Richard, in turn, can be attributed to the Normans who introduced it to England after their conquest in 1066. They adopted the name from its Old Norse equivalent "Ríkr" or "Reikr," meaning "strong" or "powerful ruler."
So, the surname Richardson originated as a nickname for someone named Richard's son and later became hereditary, eventually spreading to other parts of the English-speaking world through migration and colonization.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Richardson
The meaning and origin of the last name Richardson
The surname Richardson is an English occupational name derived from the Middle English term "ricard" or "Richeri," which was a pet form of the personal name Richard. It was originally given to individuals who worked as servants or retainers of someone named Richard. As a result, Richardson can be interpreted as 'the servant or follower of Richard.' The surname emerged during the Middle Ages, as a way for people to distinguish themselves from others with the same first name. Over time, it spread throughout England and eventually reached other parts of the British Isles and the English-speaking world through migration and colonization. Today, Richardson is a widely recognized and common surname in many countries, particularly in the United States and Canada.
Geographical distribution of the last name Richardson
The last name Richardson is predominantly distributed across various regions in England, Scotland, and Ireland, reflecting its Anglo-Saxon and Norman origins. In England, it is most common in northern counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, due to the Norman influence, as well as in the West Country, where it has Saxon roots. In Scotland, Richardson is particularly prevalent in the border region between England and Scotland, indicating a mixed Anglo-Scottish heritage. The name also appears frequently in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, suggesting an association with English settlers during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. In North America, Richardson is found throughout the United States and Canada, with concentrations in regions that have strong historical ties to the British Isles, such as New England and the Great Lakes region.
Variants and spellings of the last name Richardson
The surname Richardson has several variants and spellings, primarily due to differences in spelling conventions over time and across regions. The most common versions include Richardson, Richardsonne, Richardsone, Ricardson, and Ritchardson. In some cases, the name may also be found as a patronymic with the prefixes Mac-, MacC-, or Mc- (such as McCrichardson). Additionally, variations can occur due to transliteration from other languages, resulting in forms like Rycharczyk, Riccardi, or Ritsartsen. Despite these differences, all these variants share a common origin, deriving from the given name Richard and indicating the son of Richard.
Famous people with the last name Richardson
Notable individuals with the surname Richardson include:
1. Martin Richardson (born 1973), an English actor known for his roles in television series like "The Crown" and "Outlander."
2. Edwin Hubble Richardson (1895-1967), an American astronomer who discovered the expanding universe. His work helped establish the Big Bang Theory.
3. Billie Jean King Richardson (born 1943), a retired American tennis player and a pioneer for women's rights in sports. She won 39 Grand Slam titles and is a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate.
4. Dustin Richardson (born 1981), an American professional baseball pitcher who played for multiple Major League Baseball teams throughout his career.
5. Anne Richardson (born 1960), an English television presenter, most recognized for hosting the children's program "Blue Peter" in the 1980s and '90s.
6. Laura Richardson (born 1960), a former American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from California from 2007 to 2013.
7. Gideon Richardson (1749-1826), an early American settler, Revolutionary War soldier, and a founder of the town of Richmond, Vermont.
Genealogical research on the last name Richardson
The surname Richardson is an Anglo-Saxon and Norman English occupational name for a knight or a servant in the household of a certain Richard. It is derived from the Old English "Ricard" meaning 'brave ruler' or 'strong leader', and the Old Norse word "sonr", son. The name was popularized during the Middle Ages by several Normans who adopted the name, as well as by the Normans' conquest of England in 1066. Over time, various spelling variations have arisen due to scribal errors and regional dialects, including Richarson, Richardson, Rickardson, Riccardson, and others. Notable individuals bearing this surname include King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199), and author and poet Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). The Richardson family was among the earliest to arrive in North America, with records showing a John Richardson who emigrated from England to Virginia in 1623.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Ricadat-Crosnier is a composite surname derived from two separate French origins.
"Ricadat" is most likely a variant of "Ricaud," which itself has multiple possible or...
The surname "Ricafrente" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Spanish words "rica," meaning "wealthy" or "rich," and "frente," meaning "front" or "forehead." This surname ...
The surname "Ricamos" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "ricamo," which means "embroidery" or "needlework." The surname may have originally been a occupatio...
The last name "Ricaplaza" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the combination of the Spanish words "rica" meaning "rich" and "plaza" meaning "town square" or "public square". ...
The last name "Ricarde" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Ricardo," which is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the name "Richard." The name "Ricardo" its...
The name Ricardi has Italian origin. It comes from the very name "Riccardo", which means "rich in valiant" or "powerful ruler". It is a surname that has spread mainly in Italy and ...
The last name "Correia" originates from Portugal. It is a Portuguese surname meaning "leather strap" or "belt" in Portuguese. The surname may have been given to individuals who wor...
The surname "Ricardo" is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is derived from the given name "Ricardo," which is a variant of the name "Richard." The name "Richard" itself comes fr...
The surname Ricardone is believed to have Italian origins. It is derived from a variety of given names such as Richard or Ricardo, which were introduced into Italy by the Normans i...
The surname Ricaud is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name Richard, which is composed of the elements "ric" meaning "power" and "hard" meaning "brave" ...
The surname Ricaurte is of Spanish origin and is derived from a place name in Spain. Specifically, it's believed to have come from the town of Ricourt in the Basque province of Gui...
The surname Ricaute is of French origin. It is a locative name derived from the place name "Ricaut," which is found in the department of Orne in northern France. The name is believ...
The surname Ricchieri is of Italian origin and means "rich man" or "riches". It comes from a nickname for someone who was wealthy or prosperous. The surname can be traced back to v...
The last name "Ricci" has Italian origins. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Ricco," which itself is an Italian variant of the name Richard. The name "Ricci" ...
The surname Ricco has Italian origins. It is derived from the male given name Riccardo, which comes from the Germanic name Richard, meaning "brave ruler" or "strong ruler". Over ti...
