A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rich family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2644 · Britain, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, acc. de trois croix florencées d'arg. C.: un dragon ailé d'arg., posé sur un mont de sin. S.: deux cerfs, portant chacun quatre cornes, dont deux recourbées vers le bas. D.: GARDE LA FOY.”
Britainc. 1547
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Map of Britain showing where the Rich arms are recorded
The Rich arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1547.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in Britain when the Rich arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Rich Family in Britain
The surname Rich emerged in England as a descriptive nickname, likely used to identify someone who was wealthy, generous, or perhaps simply prosperous in their local community. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. This region was a hub of agricultural and economic activity, providing a stable environment for families to grow their influence during the Tudor period. Records from 1547 show members of the Rich family living in this area, where they participated in the social and legal structures of the time. As the name became hereditary, it transitioned from a simple descriptor into a formal family identity that persisted through generations of English history. The family’s early roots in Kent suggest they were well-integrated into the local landscape, contributing to the development of the region as the nation moved into the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a chev. or, betw. two lions pass. ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1568
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Map of England showing where the Rich arms are recorded
The Rich arms were recorded in London, c. 1568.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Rich arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Rich Family in England
The surname Rich originated in medieval England as a descriptive nickname, likely used to identify someone who was wealthy, generous, or perhaps even ostentatiously dressed. By the time the name appeared in London records during the year 1568, the family had already established a presence in the capital’s social and economic life. During the sixteenth century, London was a rapidly growing hub of trade and politics, and families bearing the name Rich were often involved in the city’s merchant class or legal circles. As the name became more common, it transitioned from a simple personal descriptor into a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations. This evolution reflects the broader trend of English families adopting permanent names as they moved from rural villages into the bustling, record-keeping environment of the city.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a chev. betw. three crosses botonnée or”
NetherlandsHolland, c. 1624
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Rich arms are recorded
The Rich arms were recorded in Holland, c. 1624.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Friesland
Town
Holland
First recorded
1624
Granting Authority for the Rich Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Rich Family in Netherlands
The family name Rich, while often associated with English origins, has a distinct and documented presence in the Netherlands dating back to the early seventeenth century. Records indicate that members of the family were established in the northern province of Friesland by 1624. During this period, Friesland was a center of maritime trade and agricultural innovation, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. The name likely functioned as a descriptive surname, reflecting the social status or the prosperous nature of the individuals who first adopted it within their local community. As these early settlers integrated into Frisian society, they participated in the typical life of the region, which was defined by strong local governance and a unique cultural identity separate from the rest of the Dutch Republic. This migration and settlement pattern highlights how names often traveled across borders through trade networks, eventually becoming deeply rooted in the history of the Frisian landscape.
Rich Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ric
A Germanic element meaning power, rule, or mighty.
This name
RichA nickname for a wealthy or powerful person, or a shortened form of Richard.
also spelled
Richh
Riche
Ryche
Related arms
Balfourrecorded with Rich, same area
Collinsrecorded with Rich, same area
Doubletrecorded with Rich, same area
Elmeetrecorded with Rich, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, 1547
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
