Rich History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rich was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rich family lived in Hampshire. Their name, however, is a reference to Riche, in Lorraine, France, the family’s place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Another equally valid derivation of the name suggests that it is patronymic, which means it was adapted from the first name of the original bearer’s father. According to this version it comes from the Norman personal name Richard. Rich is a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently.

The name was “probably an abbreviation of Richard, than an epithet implying wealth,” 2 3 but may have also have originated in France as “Riche was near Nancy, in Lorraine.” 1

“Rich is a characteristic west of England name, being most frequent in Somerset and Wiltshire. Those of Somerset are most numerous in the Bridgewater district, whilst those of Wiltshire are most frequent in the Malmesbury district. Le Rich was the name of a Hampshire family of the 14th century.” 4

Early Origins of the Rich family

The surname Rich was first found in Hampshire where the first on record include Edmund Rich, Saint Edmund (1175-1240) English churchman, who became Archbishop of Canterbury. He was born at Abingdon and his father’s name was Edward or Reinald Rich. His father withdrew to the monastery of Evesham, or more probably to Ensham, near Oxford. 5

Godwinus Dius, Le Riche was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1177 and 1185. The same rolls included and entry for Mosse le Riche in Gloucestershire in 1195 and in Sussex we found William Riche in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296. Thomas filius Ricun, was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls in Huntingdonshire in 1274. 6

Robert Rich (fl. 1240), was an English biographer, second son of Reginald and Mabel Rich of Abingdon, and younger brother of St. Edmund Rich, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Another source notes that the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 also included three listings of the family with early spellings, all found in Oxfordshire: Henry le Ryche; Hugo le Ryche; and Bruman le Riche. 7

Over in Somerset, Kirby’s Quest listed William le Riche and John le Riche, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III’s reign.) 8