Show ContentsRixson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rixson reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rixson family lived in Lancashire, at Rixton-with-Glazebrook, from whence they took their name.

Early Origins of the Rixson family

The surname Rixson was first found in Lancashire at Rixton-with-Glazebrook, a civil parish in the unitary authority of Warrington. Traditionally part of Lancashire, the hamlet of Rixton, this local dates back to the reign of King John where it "was the seat of a family of the local name, the last male descendant of whom was Alan Rixton, in the reign of Edward III. His heiress married Sir Hamon Massey, second son of Hugh Massey, of Tatton, Cheshire; and this family held the lordship until 1760." 1

Early History of the Rixson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rixson research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1066 is included under the topic Early Rixson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rixson Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Rixson family name include Rixton, Rixon, Rickston and others.

Early Notables of the Rixson family

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

Migration of the Rixson family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Rixson family to immigrate North America: Jacob and John Rixon who settled in Carolina in 1774.


Contemporary Notables of the name Rixson (post 1700) +

  • Air Commodore Denis Fenn Rixson CVO, OBE, DFC, AFC (1918-1994), British pilot during World War II and a senior Royal Air Force officer, Commandant Royal Observer Corps (1968–1971)


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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