Surname Richey - Meaning and Origin

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S. Richey

Richey: What does the surname Richey mean?

The last name Richey is of English and Welsh origin and is derived from the personal name Richard. Richard means 'powerful' or 'strong ruler, indicating that the ancestors held a distinguished, authoritative role in society. In Old English, the name Richard was spelled as "Ricard" or "Richeard," which were eventually shortened to "Rich" or "Richey." Hence the surname may have been initially a nickname or an occupational name for people who worked for or were associated with a person named Richard. Over time, it became a hereditary surname. This name is particularly widespread in Scotland and is also found in Ireland and England due to historical migrations and movements. Multiple variations in the spelling of this surname occurred over centuries, including Richie, Ritchie, Riche, Rich, and others.

Richey: Where does the name Richey come from?

The last name Richey is relatively common today in parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and North America.

In Ireland, Richey is more commonly found in County Mayo and County Galway, which border the west coast on the island's western side. The name originates from the Anglo-Norman de Rici family that arrived in Ireland in the 12th century. The descendants of the de Rici family were granted lands in the west of Ireland and this is where the surname Richey is thought to have first assumed its modern form.

In the United Kingdom, Richey is most prevalent in Wales and especially in Cardiff and the surrounding area. The name is also found in England, with concentrations in London and in the Midlands. In Wales, Richey is thought to be a patronymic surname, which means it was taken on to mark descent from a specific paternal ancestor.

In North America, the surname Richey is most common in the United States and Canada, although smaller numbers are found in Mexico and Central America. Historically, it is likely that the Richey name arrived in North America with waves of Irish and British immigrants, and in particular with the Scottish-Irish settlers who populated the backcountry of the colonial United States during the 18th century. Today, however, the surname is found in large numbers throughout the United States and Canada, indicating that its origins are more dispersed than simply coming solely from Britain and Ireland.

Variations of the surname Richey

The surname Richey has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants include Ricci, Ritchie, Richy, Ritchie, and Ritch. Less common variants such as Reiche, Reichy, Reichh, and Richey also exist, as do more localized variants like Rye, O’Ricci, and O'Richey. The origins of the surname Richey are diverse and can be traced back to a variety of cultures and regions, including those of English, French, Irish, and Scottish descent.

In England, the surname comes from the Old English risc, meaning border or boundary, and was used to describe someone who lived near such a border or boundary. In France, the name is derived from riche, meaning rich or wealthy, and was used to describe those from wealthy families. In Ireland, the surname originated as O'Ricci, which is derived from the Gaelic term meaning “son of the king” and was used to denote the children of kings. In Scotland, the surname comes from a Norman French variant of Riche, a name derived from the Latin ritus, meaning “right.”

Regardless of its varying origins and spellings, the surname Richey is most likely derived from a combination of the Old English risc, meaning border or boundary, and the French riche, meaning rich or wealthy.

Famous people with the name Richey

• Jean Richey: An American Environmental consultant and writer
• James Richey: An American television executive
• Jim Richey: An American footballer
• Devin Richey: An American basketball player
• Mark Richey: An American professional cyclist
• Tom Richey: An American historian and educator
• Sam Richey: An American conservationist and businessman
• David Richey: An American actor
• Ed Richey: An American competitive archer
• Bonnie Richey: An American television director.

Other surnames

RicheRichelRichelmannRichelsRichenRicherdRicherdtRichersonRichertRichertsRichertzRichesRicheson