Show ContentsRickert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Rickert name is derived from the Old German name Ricard, meaning powerful and brave. 1

Early Origins of the Rickert family

The surname Rickert was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the singular name Ricard was recorded. 2 Later in Norfolk, Richardus Basset was listed 1127-1134. 3

In Yorkshire, they held a family seat at Hatfield being ancient Lords of the manor of Ricard or Rycard. Over on the Isle of Wight in Yaverland, a small branch of the family was found at one time. "An ancient mansion of the Russells here, subsequently of the Richards family, and now a farmhouse, is a good specimen of the Elizabethan style." 4

Up in Scotland, the first record was of Thome filius Ricardi who had a charter of the barony of Symundestone in the sheriffdom of Lanark from Robert I, c. 1315-1321. Laurence filius Ricerdi was a tenant of the earl of Douglas in Louchurde in 1376 and John Ricardi held land in Aberdeen in 1451. 5

Early History of the Rickert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rickert research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1379, 1507, 1515, 1520, 1521, 1522, 1523, 1527, 1564, 1630, 1641, 1643, 1654, 1668, 1669, 1673, 1692, 1694, 1705, 1709, 1721, 1728 and 1817 are included under the topic Early Rickert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rickert Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Richards, Richard, Ricard, Rycard and others.

Early Notables of the Rickert family

Distinguished members of the family include William Richards, Captain and Vice Admiral of Kent; Ralph Richards, rector of Helmdon, Northamptonshire from 1641 to 1668; and his son, William Richards (1643-1705), an English clergyman and author; and John Richards (died 1694), English-born, colonial military officer, businessman, politician, and magistrate in America, best known for his participation in the Salem witch trials in 1692.John Richards (1669-1709), was a British Major-General...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rickert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rickert Ranking

In the United States, the name Rickert is the 7,728th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Ireland Migration of the Rickert family to Ireland

Some of the Rickert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Rickert migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Rickert or a variant listed above were:

Rickert Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Conrad Rickert, who arrived in New York in 1709-1710 7
  • Koenraet Rickert, who landed in New York in 1709 7
  • Daniel Rickert, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1774 7
Rickert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jacob Rickert, who arrived in Mississippi in 1844 7
  • Andrew Rickert, who arrived in Mississippi in 1844 7
  • Christian Rickert, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1873 7
  • Christian Rickert, aged 20, who landed in America, in 1893
  • Adele Rickert, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rickert Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • A. E. Rickert, aged 38, who landed in America, in 1905
  • Alfred A. rickert, aged 67, who settled in America, in 1907
  • Agnes C. Rickert, aged 38, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Anna Rickert, aged 44, who landed in America, in 1911
  • Charles Rickert, aged 56, who immigrated to the United States, in 1911
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rickert (post 1700) +

  • John "JR" Rickert (b. 1970), American sports agent who represents players in the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the NBA
  • Edith Rickert (1871-1938), American medieval scholar at the University of Chicago
  • Rick Rickert (b. 1983), American basketball player
  • Shirley Jean Rickert (1926-2009), American child actress, best known for her role as the "blonde girl" in the Our Gang series in 1931
  • Ludwig Rickert, German politician, Mayor of Bonn (1933-1945)
  • Heinrich Rickert (1863-1936), German philosopher, one of the leading Neo-Kantians


The Rickert 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: Honore et amore
Motto Translation: With honour and love.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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