How common is the Richard surname?

There are approximately 155,000 people with the surname Richard in the United States.

Are there Richard soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 1,541 soldiers with the Richard surname appear in Civil War records.

Richard

Q: What does the surname Richard mean?

The surname Richard means "Brave ruler, from Germanic 'ric' (ruler) and 'hard' (brave).". It is of Germanic origin.

Patronymic

Meaning

Brave ruler, from Germanic 'ric' (ruler) and 'hard' (brave).

Etymology

Derived from the Germanic personal name 'Richard', composed of 'ric' (ruler, king) and 'hard' (hardy, brave). The surname originated as a patronymic from this personal name, extremely popular in medieval France.

About the Richard Surname

A patronymic surname derived from the Germanic personal name Richard, indicating descent from an ancestor with that name. It has been extremely common in France since the medieval period.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 155,000 bearers in the United States #285 most common surname

Rare Common

One of the most common surnames in France, distributed throughout the country.

Richard Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

Charles Richard

GENERAL

Quick Facts

Origin: Germanic
Classification: Patronymic
Estimated Bearers: 155,000

War Records

1,541 soldiers with the Richard surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →