Richardson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Richardson was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Old German name "Ricard," meaning "powerful" and "brave." 1

Early Origins of the Richardson family

The surname Richardson was first found in Cheshire in 1067 where they were descended from Hugh d'Avranche, Earl Lupus of Chester. His descendant, William Belwood, Lord of Malpas in Cheshire, had two sons, David and Richard. Richard's grandson John was the first to bear the name Richardson.

Years later the Yorkshire Poll Tax records revealed William Richardson in 1381 and further north in Scotland, Thome filius Ricardi held a charter of the barony of Symundestone in Lanark c. 1315-1321. A few years later, Laurence filius Ricardi was a tenant of the Earl of Douglas in Louchurde in 1376. Murdac Richardesson, a Scottish merchant complained the English had sunk his vessel during a truce in 1359. 2

Richardson is "essentially a north of England name, extending across the border into Dumfriesshire, and also, but to a less extent, characteristic of most of the east coast counties as far south as Kent and Sussex. The counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, Northumberland, and the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire contain the greatest number of the name." 3

Early History of the Richardson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Richardson research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1569, 1572, 1576, 1580, 1594, 1600, 1603, 1606, 1618, 1624, 1625, 1627, 1628, 1635, 1642, 1651, 1654, 1660, 1664, 1667, 1674, 1679, 1682, 1686, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1693, 1698, 1714, 1715, 1737, 1747, 1753, 1755, 1761, 1820 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Richardson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richardson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Richardson, Richerson, Richarson and others.

Early Notables of the Richardson family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Dame Elizabeth Richardson, 1st Lady Cramond (1576-1651), English writer whose peerage was created for her in 1628; Sir Thomas Richardson (1569-1635), Chief Justice of the King's Bench; Thomas Richards...
Christopher Richardson (1618-1698), was an English nonconformist divine who appears to have been born at Sheriff Hutton, Yorkshire. Gabriel Richardson (died 1642), was and English author from Lincolns...
John Richardson (1667-1753), English Quaker, son of William Richardson (1624-1679) of North Cave, Yorkshire were both often fined and imprisoned for their teachings
Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) was an English novelist; and Richard Richardson (c. 1664-1714), was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Ipswich (1714-1715.)

Richardson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Richardson is the 63^rd most popular surname with an estimated 278,544 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Richardson is ranked the 157^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,150 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Richardson is the 76^th popular surname with an estimated 31,622 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Richardson as 109^th with 3,915 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Richardson as 60^th with 73,247 people. 8

Migration of the Richardson family to Ireland

Some of the Richardson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richardson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Richardson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Richardson, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Edwine" 9
Mrs. Susanna Richardson who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Charlestown 10
Samuel Richardson, who landed in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1630 9
Thomas Richardson, who landed in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1630 9
Ezekiel Richardson, of Hertfordshire who arrived who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Charlestown. 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Richardson, who arrived in Maryland in 1700-1701 9
John Richardson, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 9
Sara Richardson, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 9
John Richardson, who landed in Virginia in 1705 9
Thomas Richardson, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Richardson, who landed in New York in 1801 9
Samuel Richardson, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1803 9
Nathaniel Richardson, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1803 9
Jonathan Richardson, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1803 9
John Richardson, who landed in America in 1807 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Richardson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Richardson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Philip Richardson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Edward Richardson, who was a soldier of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1756 11
Christ Richardson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
John Richardson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Thomas Richardson, who landed in Canada in 1815
Ellen Richardson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1829
Benjamin A Richardson, who landed in Canada in 1831
Caleb Richardson, who arrived in Canada in 1831
Margaret Richardson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

James M Richardson, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Mabel Richardson, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
William H Richardson, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Richardson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Richardson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Richardson, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. John Richardson, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Richardson, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. James Richardson, (b. 1796), aged 20, English farmer who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life for felony, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. James Richardson, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Miss Catherine Richardson, (b. 1800), aged 28, English servant who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years for coining, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia" 17

Richardson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Richardson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Richardson, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "Defiance" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 18
Mr. James Richardson, (b. 1809), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 19
James Richardson, aged 32, a builder, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
James Robert Richardson, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
Eliza Richardson, aged 20, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Richardson migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20

Richardson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. William Richardson, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 21
Mr. Manley Richardson, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 22
Mr. Robert Richardson, (b. 1602), aged 33, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 22
Mr. Robert Richardson, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 22
Mr. Richard Richardson, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 23
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Richardson (post 1700) +

Elliot Lee Richardson (1920-1999), American lawyer, politician and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, best known for his resignation as U.S. Attorney General rather than agree to President Nixon's order to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox
William Blaine Richardson (1947-2023), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from New Mexico (1983-1987), 30th Governor of New Mexico (2003-2011) 24
Leo Richardson (1931-2023), American head basketball coach at Savannah State University from 1964 to 1971, and the University at Buffalo from 1973 to 1978
Jerome Johnson "Jerry" Richardson Sr. (1936-2023), American businessman, football player, and owner in the National Football League (NFL)
Willie Bell Richardson (1948-2023), American civil rights activist and community advocate who was president of Oregon Black Pioneers
John Thomas Richardson C.M. (1923-2022), American academic and priest from Dallas, Texas, 9th President of DePaul University (1981-1993)
David Richardson (1955-2021), American television writer and producer who wrote for The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle, Two and a Half Men, and F Is for Family
Naazim Richardson (d. 2020), American boxing trainer from Philadelphia
John G. Richardson (1957-2020), American politician, 97th Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (2004-2006)
Robert D. Richardson (1934-2020), American historian and biographer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
... (Another 331 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Richardson family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Gregory Willam Richardson (1964-1985), American Private 1st Class from Sterling, Illinois, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 25

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Mary Richardson (1860-1914), née Ryles Canadian Second Class Passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
Mr. William Richardson (1856-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26

Halifax Explosion

Mr. George Richardson (1858-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 27
Mr. George F. Richardson (1890-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 27
Mrs. Neva Richardson (1896-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 27

HMS Hood

Mr. Snowden F O Richardson (b. 1917), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Bedlington, Northumberland, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
Mr. Henry F D Richardson (b. 1916), English Ordinary Signalman serving for the Royal Navy from Bracknell, Berkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Eric Richardson, British Surgeon Lieutenant Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29
Mr. Richardson, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, was later killed in action in 1942 29

HMS Repulse

Mr. John George Edwards Richardson, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 30

RMS Lusitania

Miss Annie Richardson, English Stewardess from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 31
Mrs. Annie Richardson, English 2nd Class passenger residing in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 13 32

USS Arizona

Mr. Warren John Richardson, American Coxswain from Pennsylvania, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 33

The Richardson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtute acquiritur honos
Motto Translation: Honour is aquired by virtue.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html