Surname Richerson - Meaning and Origin
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Richerson: What does the surname Richerson mean?
The surname Richerson is of Anglo-Saxon origin and refers to "the son of Richer," marking it as a patronymic surname structure often found in English culture. The given name "Richer" is derived from the Old English name elements "ric" meaning "rich, powerful" and "heri" meaning "army". It was common in medieval times, reflecting social importance or describing a characteristic trait. The suffix "-son" was typically attached to indicate descent, as is customary in many patronymic cultures. Thus, Richerson can be interpreted as "son of a rich or powerful leader." It's important to note that surnames have evolved over centuries and can have different meanings in varying contexts. Many people bear the last name Richerson today, and the exact meaning or heritage may differ among individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisRicherson: Where does the name Richerson come from?
The last name Richerson is a relatively uncommon surname in the United States. According to the 1990 United States Census, only about 500 people had the last name Richerson, making it the 10,327th most common last name at the time. Today, Richerson is even less common, with only about 160 people in the US having it as their last name, according to the 2019 United States Census.
The last name Richerson is most prevalent in the state of Tennessee, with about 20 people having the name, followed by Washington and California. Many of the Richersons in the US today are descendants of Jacob Richerson, who settled in Franklin County, Tennessee in 1840. Other Richersons can trace their roots back to William Richerson, who migrated to Washington State in the 1890s, and later to California.
Outside of the US, Richerson is a more common last name found in other countries such as England. For example, in the 2011 United Kingdom Census, about 600 people had the last name Richerson, making it the 5,343rd most common last name in the country.
Overall, the last name Richerson is a unique surname found in small numbers across the world. It is especially rare in the US, but the descendants of Jacob and William Richerson continue to carry the name on to this day.
Variations of the surname Richerson
The surname Richerson is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Richard. Variants of Richerson include Rickerson, Rickson, Richarson, Richarson, and Ritcherson.
Spellings of Richerson include Richerson, Richersson, Richersen, Richeson, Richesen, Richesson, Richeson, Richisson, and Richisen. Alternative spellings of the surname include Richer, Riker, Richar, Richardson, Rickman, Riken, and Rickam.
Surnames derived from Richerson include Richer, Flaherty, Hill, Haverty, Eagerly, Riker, Walcott, Hagarty, Rickman, Gordon, Rikerd, Ricker, and Roten.
The first recorded spelling of the Richerson surname appears in an 1177 charter of lands in Ayrshire, Scotland. This record was found in the charters of Crossraguel Abbey. In this document, a William Ricard appears, making this one of the earliest recorded references to the surname Richerson and its variants.
In the 17th century, the Richerson surname was found in Ulster, Ireland. A Reginald Richarson was recorded on a warrant dated July 28th 1630. It is believed that this family had moved from England or Scotland. While the Richersons are mainly of Anglophone origin, the surname can also be found in other languages such as French. French variations include Richersonneau, Richersonnet, Richersonnin, and Richerson de Laquerriere.
Famous people with the name Richerson
- Michael Richerson: actor, known for roles in popular shows such as Modern Family, Pretty Little Liars, Riverdale, and many others
- Matt Richerson: musician and former frontman of the alternative rock band Five Iron Frenzy
- David Richerson: musician and former frontman of the punk rock band The Vandals
- Robert Richerson: CEO of Procter & Gamble
- Ben Richerson: environmental lawyer and former managing director of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
- Bill Richerson: former professor of sociology at the University of Washington
- Charles Richerson: former professor of economics at Harvard University
- Ann Richerson: former principal of Montgomery County Public Schools
- Mark Richerson: former head of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health
- Katie Richerson: actress, known for roles in films such as Saving Mr. Banks and The Conjuring 2