| ![Show Contents]() Rykes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The ancestry of the name Rykes dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the county of Somerset. Rykes is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. In this case the surname was originally derived from the Old English word risc which refers to those individuals who lived near the rushes. 1 Alternatively, the name could have been Saxon in origin, denoting "a powerful, rich, or generous disposition, from ric, rich." 2 Rixon is a village near Sturminster Newton in Dorset. Early Origins of the Rykes familyThe surname Rykes was first found in Cheshire where the mononym Rike was recorded in the Assize Rolls of 1260. A few years later, Osbert, John de la Rixe was recorded in Somerset in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1274. In Suffolk, Ema Ricke and David Rickes were listed there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and later, Richard Rycke and Milcentia Ryckes were listed at Colchester in 1330 and 1351. In Devon, Roger ate Rixe was listed in 1302 and back in Somerset, William atte Ryxe was listed there in 1333. 1 Early History of the Rykes familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rykes research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1274 and 1333 are included under the topic Early Rykes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Rykes Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rykes have been found, including Ricks, Rickes, Rick, Rix, Rixon, Ricke and others. Early Notables of the Rykes familyMore information is included under the topic Early Rykes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Rykes familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Rykes, or a variant listed above: Peter Rix, who sailed to Virginia in 1663; John Ricks, who sailed to Maryland in 1664; Christopher Ricks migrated to Pennsylvania 1771; Charles Ricks migrated to Allegheny Co. Pennsylvania in 1836.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
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