This rather unusual surname is of Germanic and Anglo-Saxon origin, and has two possible sources, each with its own history and derivation. Firstly it may be from a patronymic of the medieval given name "Rick", itself a short form of Richard, composed of the Germanic elements "ric", power, and "hard", hardy, brave, strong, introduced by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066; or Rick could be derived from a less common compound name with the first element "ric", as above. The earliest recording (see below) is from this source.
Secondly, the surname may be topographical, describing "a dweller on a piece of land thickly grown with rushes", derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century (West Saxon) "rixe", rush, a metathesized form of "rysc". Topographical surnames, such as this, were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. Recordings from London Church Registers include: the christening of John, son of Alexander and Margaret Rix, on May 27th 1634, at Allhallows, London Wall, and the christening of William, son of William and Rebecah Rix, on October 23rd 1696, at St. Gabriel's, Fenchurch. A Coat of Arms granted to the family is a red shield with a fess between six crosses crosslet fitchee silver, the Crest being a demi griffin proper. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph Rixe, which was dated 1279, in the "Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Research into the possible origins of rix leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname rix, and in addition to the original locations of rix, we can find out where people with the surname rix can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of rix.
There is a considerable probability that rix has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where rix is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname rix has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named rix are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname rix are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname rix.
It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of rix could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname rix or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of rix.
We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname rix, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like rix can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname rix, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname rix who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
The bibliography collects information related to the surname rix, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname rix, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of rix.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of rix, and at the same time, of surnames in general.