What’s in a “name?” More on “Richard…”

RichardFamily History

Richard Name Meaning

English French West Indian (mainly Haiti) German and Dutch: from a personal name composed of the ancient Germanic elements rīc‘power(ful)’ + hard ‘hardy brave strong’. The Middle English forms were Richard and Rikardrespectively Parisian Old French and Old Picard pronunciations of the ancient Germanic name. Middle English Rikard gives rise to the pet form Rick whilst Richard has given the pet forms Richie and Rich . Both produced rhyming pet forms  Dickand Hick for Rikard and Hitch for Richard.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Pickard, Guichard, Richer, Reichard, Richards, Reckard, Gothard

It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic *rīk- ‘ruler, leader, king’ and *hardu- ‘strong, brave, hardy’, and it therefore means ‘strong in rule’. Thanks …

2 Comments

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  2. The rich history behind the name Richard is truly fascinating! I loved reading about its etymological roots, going back to Old Frankish and Proto-Germanic, and how it combines elements that signify strength, leadership, and bravery. It’s intriguing to see the evolution of the name over time and across cultures, from its ancient origins to the various pet forms like Richie, Rich, Dick, and Hick. This deep dive into your family name not only highlights its historical significance but also gives a sense of pride in its powerful meaning. It’s great that you’re exploring and appreciating the lineage and strength embedded in your name. Keep valuing this unique aspect of your heritage! 🌟📚🛡️