Richaud History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

The history of the name Richaud goes back the Medieval period to a region known as Brittany (French: Bretagne). Such a French name was given to a person known for his bravery. The name Richard is derived from the Germanic personal name of Richard, which is composed of the elements "ric", meaning "powerful", and "hard", meaning "brave" or "strong".

Early Origins of the Richaud family

The surname Richaud was first found in Brittany where they held a family seat in the honour of Kerjean, a seigneurie which would ultimately become noblesse as Barons of the Empire.

By the 15th century many of the family name had branched eastward to Lorraine, where the name seemed to become most prolific. Meanwhile, they also emerged in other locations throughout France including Aboncourt in Lorraine, Dauphine, Bressel in Neufchatel, Pichon in île-de-France, Prade in Lyonnais, Vaux in Roannais, Ruffey in Bourgogne, Pontreau in Berry, in Brittany at Pervenchere, Primaudaye, and in Coetaufao. François Richard was a French industrialist who died in 1839.

Marin Richard, son of Jean and Guillemette (née Bertin), is recorded as one of the first members of the Richard family to come to New France in the 17th century. He is viewed as the primary ancestor for the Richard families in Canada. Marin eventually settled at Saint-Charles-des-Grandines and married Marie-Madeleine Grandjean, daughter of Philippe and Claude (née Argentiere), in Quebec on 21st October 1669. 1

Early History of the Richaud family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Richaud research. The years 1621 and 1669 are included under the topic Early Richaud History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richaud Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Richaud is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Richard, Richeau, de Richard, De Richard, de la Richard, Richaud, Richart and many more.

Early Notables of the Richaud family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Richaud Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richaud Ranking

In France, the name Richaud is the 1,619^th most popular surname with an estimated 3,695 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Richaud family

In the 1700s, land incentives were finally given out by France to 2,000 migrants. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, Acadia were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Richaud were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Richaud were Marin Richard arrived in Quebec from Normandy in 1669; Jean Richard arrived in Quebec from Anjou in 1700; Francois (1710), Francois (1747), and Michel (1746) arrived in Quebec from Brittany.

Contemporary Notables of the name Richaud (post 1700) +

André de Richaud (1907-1968), French poet and writer
Paul-Marie-André Richaud (1887-1968), French Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop of Bordeaux (1950-1968)
Étienne Antoine Guillaume Richaud (1841-1889), French Principal private secretary of the Minister of Commerce Maurice Rouvier, Gouverneur Général de l'Inde française (October 1884–1886)
Benoît Richaud (b. 1988), French ice dancer, the 2009 French bronze medalist

The Richaud 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: Aimer
Motto Translation: Love

Citations +

Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/