Surname Riche - Meaning and Origin

“An Emotional Voyage into the Past: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience.”

The iGENEA DNA test was an odyssey of self-discovery, unveiling the rich tapestry of my lineage. It shed light on the expansiveness of the Riche surname, influencing my understanding of my heritage.

R. Riche

Riche: What does the surname Riche mean?

The last name "Riche" is of French origin and it directly translates to "rich" in English, implying wealth or abundance. It may have originally been used as a nickname for a prosperous or affluent person, or perhaps given ironically to a particularly poor person. Over time, it evolved into a surname. Like many surnames that derived from nicknames, it's likely that multiple, unrelated families adopted or were given this surname, hence not all people named Riche may be related. The name might also have geographical roots, being associated with a place that was rich in a particular resource. It's important to mention that specific meanings can vary based upon regional dialects and language evolution. Despite its direct translation, a person with the surname Riche is not necessarily wealthier than others.

Riche: Where does the name Riche come from?

The last name Riche is most common today in France, where it originated. The name traces back to the late 12th century, when it was first recorded in the form ‘Richer’ or ‘Riches’. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word ‘riche’, which translates to ‘wealthy’.

Today, the last name Riche is most common in the northern, central and eastern regions of France. It can also be found in French communities in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, and the United Kingdom.

In the US, the last name Riche can be found in Louisiana, where it is especially popular, as well as Alabama and Mississippi. In Canada, it is quite popular in Quebec, most likely as a result of French immigration.

The name Riche is also linked to other French-speaking countries, such as Martinique, Guadeloupe and Haiti, where it is also common.

The last name Riche is now found worldwide, particularly in countries with large French-speaking populations. Despite its presence in multiple countries, the name is most common in France and French-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Riche

The surname Riche is of French origin and is primarily derived from the Old French word riche meaning “rich” or “wealthy”. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Richey, Ricci, Riccio, Richy, Riche, Riches, Richi, Richio, and Richer. Additionally, the surnames Richeson, Richison and Richarson are derived from the variety of this name.

Riche is one of the most frequent surnames of French origin, with recorded mentions dating as far back as 1180. It experienced a period of popularity in the Middle Ages, when powerful French families adopted it as part of their own names. The lesser known variant Ricci is an Italian language variation that found its way into Sicilian culture. Ricci is often found in low country families of Southern Italy.

Richy is a less conventional version of Riche that was found in Spain but is now an English language form. The surname is found primarily in England, Wales and Scotland. It is a patronymic form of the French surname, stemming from the English language form of Riche, Riches, or Richy.

Richer is another variant of the surname and it too is a patronymic form derived from the French surname Riche. It was found primarily in the regions of Normandy and Picardy in France and is still widely used today.

In some cases, Richi and Richio can be variations of the Italian language Ricci, which likewise originated from the French surname Riche. These Italian variants are much less common than Ricci and are most commonly found among families in the Southern Italian regions of Sicily and Calabria.

In conclusion, the surname Riche has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Richey, Ricci, Riccio, Richy, Riche, Riches, Richi, Richio, Richeson, Richison, Richarson, and Richer. All of these surnames are derived from the French word riche, which means “rich” or “wealthy”.

Famous people with the name Riche

• Jennifer Riche: an American actress, best known for her roles in films such as Deuce Bigalow, Me, Myself, and Irene, American Wedding, and Good Luck Chuck.
• Conchata Ferrell: an American actress, best known for her roles as Berta in Two and a Half Men, Mrs. Productivity in Grace and Frankie, and Martha in Patch Adams.
• Armand Riche: a French-born actor and former racing driver, best known for his roles in films such as The Transporter, The Hundred-Foot Journey, and The French Connection.
• Charles-Laurent Riche: a French composer, best known for his operas such as Les Troyens and Angélique gagnante du prix Nobel.
• Isabelle Riche: a French artist, best known for her photos of everyday life in France and her photos of landscapes around the world.
• Elodie Riche: a French theater director, best known for her work on the plays Le Petit Prince and Antigone.
• Xavier Riche: a French landscape painter, best known for his works featuring lush and colorful forests.
• François Riche: a French sculptor, best known for his works in bronze, marble, and terracotta, as well as many other media.
• Solène Riche: a French music producer, best known for her work with electronic music artists such as Dub Elements and Kero One.
• Jack Riche: an English actor and comedian, best known for his roles in films such as Bridget Jones's Diary and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Other surnames

RichRichardRichardiRichardsRichardsenRichardsonRichardtRichardyRicharsonRichartRicharthRichartsRichartzRicharzRichbourgRichbourghRichburgRichelRichelmannRichelsRichenRicherdRicherdtRichersonRichertRichertsRichertzRichesRichesonRichey