The Rich Family History

What Does the Rich Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Rich is of English origin and is derived from the Old French words ‘riche’ and ‘reich,’ which also pertain to a region in France. In Old English, the term ‘riche’ denoted an individual of considerable wealth. This surname is closely associated with the given name Richard. Variants of the surname include Richings, Riche, Richins, and Riching. The Rich lineage in England is believed to have begun in the region of Hampshire, from where it subsequently dispersed to Middlesex, Essex, Kent, Sussex, the city of London, as well as to Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, and further north to Yorkshire and Lanarkshire. In Scotland, the predominant concentration of individuals bearing the Rich surname can be found in Lanarkshire. In the United States, families with the Rich surname are primarily located in states such as New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Illinois, and California. Notable individuals bearing the Rich surname include Herb Rich, a professional football player; John Rich, a musician; Martin Rich, a composer from Germany; Robert E., a pioneer in food processing and founder of Rich Products Corp.; Richie Rich, a well-known English disc jockey; Richard Rich, a film director; and Irene Rich, an actress.