First found in Hampshire where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. The first on record include Edmund Rich, Saint Edmund (1175-1240) English churchman, who became Archbishop of Canterbury; and Thomas filius Ricun, who was in the Rotuli Hundredorum in Huntingdonshire in 1274.

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More about the Rich History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:

• Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
• Known spelling variations
• Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
• Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
• First settlers to North America
• Notable contemporary bearers of the name
• A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Rich or a variant listed above: Jo Richings, who arrived in Virginia in 1658; Edward and Elizabeth Rich, who arrived in Virginia in 1663; Miles, Joseph, and Abraham Rich who also came to Virginia in 1663.

Motto Translated: Keep the faith.

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