Richards surname meaning

Richards is a patronymic surname formed from Richard, meaning the family or descendants of a person called Richard. Richard is a Germanic personal name traditionally analyzed with elements associated with power and bravery; that compound meaning belongs to the given name, not to an occupation performed by every Richards ancestor. English and Welsh records produced Richards, while Richard, Richardson, and regional forms can occur beside it. Parent’s name is the direct catalog type, with high confidence for the central explanation. Because Richard was widespread in medieval Europe, the surname could arise independently in many places. Genealogy must establish which local line a modern Richards family follows.