Reckitts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The prominent surname Reckitts was first found in England in the 16th century but traced its early origin to the country of France. Reckitts was originally associated with the Huguenots, many of whom left France in the 16th and 17th centuries, in order to escape religious persecution. England, which was a Protestant country, was thought to be more accepting of religious differences.

Early Origins of the Reckitts family

The surname Reckitts was first found in Kent where this Huguenot family, originally Ricquart or Ricard, migrated to the west and settled at Combe in the county of Hereford.

We would be remiss is we did not pass along this quote: "About 1620, one Ricketts of NewBerry, a practitioner in physick, was excellent at curing of children with swoln heads and small legges; and the disease being new, and without a name, he being so famous for the cure of it, they called the disease the ricketts; as the King's evill from the King's curing of it with his touch; and now 'tis good sport to see how they vex their lexicons, and fetch it from the Greek Paxc, the back-bone." 1

The source goes on to note that the disease was give name by Dr. Glisson on the first appearance of the disease. Dr. Glisson was a contemporary of and probably knew Mr. Ricketts.

"During the 17th and 18th centuries a family of the name of Ricketts resided in North Leach [Gloucestershire]." 2

Early History of the Reckitts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reckitts research. Another 220 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1478, 1606, 1628, 1641, 1655, 1659, 1665, 1694, 1700, 1718 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Reckitts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reckitts Spelling Variations

Huguenot surnames were only slightly Anglicized, and they remain to this day a distinct group of surnames in England. Nevertheless, Huguenot surnames have been subject to numerous spelling alterations since the names emerged in France. French surnames have a variety of spelling variations because the French language has changed drastically over the centuries. French was developed from the vernacular Latin of the Roman Empire. It is divided into three historic and linguistic periods: Old French, which developed before the 14th century; Middle French, which was used between the 14th and 16th centuries; and Modern French, which was used after the 16th century and continues to be in use today. In all of these periods, the French language was heavily influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when the 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. Huguenot names have numerous variations. The name may be spelled Ricket, Rickett, Reckitt, Ricketts, Reckitts and others.

Early Notables of the Reckitts family

Notable in the family at this time was Robert Ricart (fl. 1478), English town clerk of Bristol, lay brother of the fraternity of the Kalendars, an ancient guild attached to the church of All Saints, Bristol. 3 Sir Paul Ricaut or Rycaut (1628-1700), was an English traveller and author, was born at The Friary, his father's seat at Aylesford in Kent. His...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reckitts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reckitts family

Some of the first North American settlers with Reckitts name or one of its variants: Edward Ricketts settled in Virginia in 1642; John, Philip, Alice and Grace Ricketts settled in Virginia in 1660; Benjamin, Joane, Richard, and William Ricketts settled in Virginia in 1670.

The Reckitts 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: Quid verum atque decens
Motto Translation: What is true and honorable.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print