Show ContentsRichie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Richie family

The surname Richie was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Richie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Richie research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early Richie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacRitchie, Ritchie, MacRichie and others.

Early Notables of the Richie family

More information is included under the topic Early Richie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richie Ranking

In the United States, the name Richie is the 3,459th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the Richie family to Ireland

Some of the Richie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Richie migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Richie Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Benjamin Richie, who landed in Mississippi in 1799 2
  • William Richie, who arrived in Mississippi in 1799 2
Richie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Richie, aged 42, who landed in New York in 1812 2
  • Catherine Richie, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 2
  • Mrs. Agnes Richie, aged 54, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. John Richie, aged 19, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Australia Richie migration to Australia +

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

Richie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Richie, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia 3

New Zealand Richie 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:

Richie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Richie, aged 23, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 4
  • Janet Richie, aged 23, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 4
  • Mr. Richie, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "John Phillips" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in April 1852 5
  • Miss Ellen Richie, (b. 1843), aged 16, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 5
  • Miss Betsey Richie, (b. 1829), aged 35, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Amoor" arriving in Lyttleton, South Island, New Zealand on 1st July 1864 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Richie (post 1700) +

  • David James Richie (b. 1973), former American football defensive tackle who played from 1997 to 2001
  • Nicole Camille Richie (b. 1981), born Nicole Camille Escovedo, an American fashion designer, author, actress, singer, and television personality
  • Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (b. 1949), American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer, former member of the musical group Commodores, best known for his number-one hit "Truly," one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 100 million records wordwide
  • Donald Richie (b. 1924), award-winning American-born author
  • Dave Richie, American politician, Independent Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1992 6
  • Boyd Richie, American Democratic Party politician, Texas Democratic State Chair, 2008; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2008 6
  • Betty Furr Richie, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Texas State House of Representatives 68th District, 2000; Member of Democratic National Committee from Texas, 2008 6
  • Shane Richie (b. 1964), birth name of Shane Patrick Roche, an English actor, comedian, singer, and media personality
  • Richie P Havens (1941-2013), American folk singer and guitarist, best remembered for his iconic opening performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 7
  • Richie Graham Poulton CNZM, FRSNZ (1962-2023), New Zealand psychologist and the director of the University of Otago's Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Research Unit


The Richie 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: Virtutue acquiritur honos
Motto Translation: Honour is aquired by virtue.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. Richie Havens. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Richie Havens. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richie_Havens


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