Richardson (surname) facts for kids

The name Richardson is a common English surname. It means "son of Richard." The name Richard was very popular in England during the Middle Ages. It comes from old Germanic words. Ric means "power," and hard means "brave" or "strong." So, the name Richard means "powerful and brave ruler."

The "son" part of Richardson simply means "son of" or "descendant of." This shows that the surname was given to someone who was the child or a later family member of a person named Richard. Records show that the names Richard and Richardson were used as early as 1381 in Yorkshire, England. There are also other ways to spell the name, like Richardsson in Sweden. Other similar surnames include Dickson and Dixon.

What is a Surname?

A surname is a family name. It is passed down from parents to children. Surnames help us know which family someone belongs to. Many surnames, like Richardson, come from a parent's first name. These are called patronymic surnames.

Where Did the Name Richardson Come From?

The Richardson surname started in England. It was most common in the North East of England. In the past, people often took names based on their father's name. If your father was named Richard, you might be called "Richard's son." Over time, this became a fixed family name.

Famous People Named Richardson

Many people with the surname Richardson have become well-known in different fields. Here are a few examples:

In Sports

• Dot Richardson (born 1961) is a famous American softball player. She won two Olympic gold medals.
• Quentin Richardson (born 1980) is an American professional basketball player. He played for several teams in the NBA.
• Sha'Carri Richardson (born 2000) is an American sprinter. She is known for her speed in track and field.
• Kane Richardson (born 1991) is an Australian international cricketer. He plays for the Australian national team.

In Entertainment and Arts

• Miranda Richardson is a British actress. She has starred in many movies and TV shows.
• Joely Richardson is also a British actress. She comes from a famous acting family.
• Salli Richardson (born 1949) is an American television and film actress. She is also a director.
• Jon Richardson is a popular British comedian. He is known for his stand-up comedy and TV appearances.

In Science and History

• Owen Willans Richardson (1879–1959) was an English physicist. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on how electrons are emitted from hot metals.
• Lewis Fry Richardson (1881–1953) was an English mathematician and meteorologist. He was a pioneer in using math to predict weather.