Surname Ricketts - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Celtic Roots: A Journey into the Ricketts Lineage through iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test results have drastically reshaped my understanding of my family identity linked with the surname 'Ricketts.' The unexpected discovery of a substantial Celtic lineage challenged my long-held belief about my family's ancestral origins and inspired me to delve deeper into our past, adding depth and richness to the understanding of my family history and myself.

S. Ricketts

Ricketts: What does the surname Ricketts mean?

The last name Ricketts is of English origin and it is believed to have been derived from a medieval nickname for a thin or weak person. This name is thought to stem from the ancient English word “ricket” which stood for a severe form of malnutrition affecting children, characterized by a weakening of the bones. The term then later came to denote any feeble or weak individual especially those with thin, bony features. The name was often given to people who were tall, skinny, and frail looking. It can thus be said that the last name Ricketts was often used metaphorically to describe the physical attributes of the individual. Like many British surnames, it survived through generations as a means of identity and over time became a family name. As a common British surname, Ricketts is found in various parts of the United Kingdom and in countries where British people have migrated.

Ricketts: Where does the name Ricketts come from?

The last name Ricketts is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. However, it can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In England, the most populous county to have the surname is Kent. However, it is also found in large numbers throughout Lancashire, Yorkshire and other northern counties.

In the US, Ricketts is most heavily concentrated in the south. The states with the highest number of people carrying the name are Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Virginia. It is estimated that over 10,000 people throughout the US have the surname.

Canada has the most Ricketts family members living in Ontario and Alberta. There are only a few Ricketts family members in New Zealand, but they have an online registry and gathering where members can update their family history and genealogy.

Australia is home to a large Ricketts population. According to the 2011 Australian Census, over 2,000 people living in Australia have the surname.

Overall, the Ricketts family is a diverse group of people scattered around the world. The most common areas for the Ricketts surname today are the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Ricketts

The surname Ricketts is an English patronymic surname derived from the personal name Richard. It is sometimes spelled Ricketts, Rickard, Ricket, Rickets, Rickot, Rickit, Ricketts, Rickettson, Rickettson, Riketts, Rykets, Rykot, Rikot, Riquet, and Riquettes. The surnames have been known to originate in the English counties of Devon, Derbyshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hampshire.

The earliest records of bearers of the Ricketts variation of the name can be traced back to the 1500s. The variations Rikot, Riquet, and Riquettes have French origins, while the variations Rykets and Rykot could be of either French of English origin.

The Ricketts spelling is quite common in the United States, and is typically found in more rural locations. The spelling is also prevalent in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Ricketts name originated most likely in the Anglo-Norman area due to the popularity of the Germanic names Richard and Ricard. The English spelling of Richard became Rycharde which was sometimes softened to Rycard, Rykot, and Rykets. The names eventually changed to Rickets and Ricketts due to dialectical variation.

Ultimately, the variations of the Ricketts surname are all derived from the same Biblical personal name, with some examples of the variations being more often found in English countries, while some being more often found in French countries. Regardless of the final spelling, all variants of the name are still associated with a common origin.

Famous people with the name Ricketts

• Joe Ricketts: Businessman, philanthropist, and founder of TD Ameritrade, the father of the billionaire Pritzker-Ricketts clan.
• Pete Ricketts: American businessman and politician serving as the 40th governor of Nebraska since 2015.
• Todd Ricketts: American billionaire businessman and co-owner of the Chicago Cubs.
• Laura Ricketts: American attorney and executive, and co-owner of the Chicago Cubs.
• Neil Ricketts: Former Police Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Service and Commissioner's Command Team.
• Robert Kent Ricketts: Brigadier General in the United States Army and a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War.
• Alan Ricketts: Former professional soccer player who played for Luton Town, Darlington, Shrewsbury Town and Swansea City.
• Judah Ricketts: Actor and writer best known for his role in BBC's “Holy Smoke”.
• Gavin Ricketts: MTV UK presenter and former radio presenter for BBC Radio 1Xtra.
• Jeff Ricketts: American actor best known for his roles in the films “Cake” and “The Cooler”.

Other surnames

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