Map of Scotland showing where the Richey arms are recorded
The Richey arms were recorded in Craigtown, c. 1758.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Richey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Richey Family in Scotland
The family name Richey is a variant of the name Ritchie, which originated as a common nickname for those named Richard. In the context of Scotland, the name was closely linked to the border regions and the Lowlands, where families often identified with specific clans or local communities. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the name had become well-established in urban centers like Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the Richey family were living and working in Edinburgh by 1758, a time when the city was undergoing a massive transformation known as the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, families with this name participated in the growing professional and merchant classes of the capital, contributing to the city's reputation as a hub for trade and intellectual life. As the family settled into these urban environments, they became part of the broader social fabric of Scottish society, moving away from the rural traditions of their ancestors to embrace the opportunities of a modernizing nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
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. on a chev. betw. three annulets or, as many annulets of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Richey arms are recorded
The Richey arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Richey 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 Richey Family in England
The surname Richey is a variant of the name Ritchie, which originated as a common nickname for those named Richard. In the northern regions of England, the name became well-established by the early seventeenth century as families moved and settled in growing urban centers. Records confirm that members of the Richey family were living in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a major hub for trade and administration in the north. Families like the Richeys often found work in the city as skilled craftsmen or merchants who contributed to the local economy. These early residents were part of a broader movement of people who helped shape the social landscape of Yorkshire during the reign of King James I. Their presence in the city archives provides a clear link to the daily lives of English families during this transformative era of history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ricoh
A Germanic element meaning powerful or brave ruler.
This name
RicheyA Scottish patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of Richard, signifying a powerful leader.
also spelled
Richey
Ritchy
Rychie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1758
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
