English
The name 'Ritch originates from England. It is derived from the nickname for a wealthy man (or in some cases an ironic name for a pauper), from the Middle English, Old Flemish word 'riche' meaning rich, wealthy (of Germanic origin, akin to the Germanic word 'ric' meaning power). It is also a habitation name from the lost village of Riche in Leicestershire, apparently so called from the Old English element 'ric' meaning stream, or in this case drainage channel. Some early forms of the surname, such as 'Alexander atte Riche' probably derive from minor places named with this element in southern counties, as for example 'Glynde Reach' in the county of Sussex. It was used in medieval times as a short form of 'Richard'. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive's has confirmed that the surname 'Rich' and or it's variant's, dates as far back as the 14th century were a 'Johannes Riche', from the county of Yorkshire, England, is recorded on Poll Tax records in 1379. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that the founder of this family was a certain 'Richard Rich', who emigrated to America in 1671 and settled at Dover Point, New Hampshire, before moving to Eastham, on Cape Cod in 1681. He married 'Saragh Roberts'; daughter of the governor of Dover Point, 'Thomas Roberts', in 1673 and by her had one son 'Richard Rich', born 1674. Today, 'Rich' is the '566th' most common surname in North America.