Richard Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Richard surname: its meaning, its roots in France, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Richard name
Richard comes from the Germanic Ricohard, combining ric, "power", and hard, "brave" or "strong". It was a favourite royal and ducal name in medieval France and Normandy and became a widespread hereditary surname. English Richards and Richardson share the same root.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Richard name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Richard name in France. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Belgium, Canada and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Richard family history
The researched Richard pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Richard coat of arms.
Richard name FAQ
What does the Richard name mean?
Brave ruler. Common variants include Richards, Ricard, Richardson.
Where does the Richard surname come from?
It originates in France, and is also found in Belgium, Canada and the United States.
Is there a Richard coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Richard crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Richard coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Albert Dauzat & Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).