Richard is a given name derived from the Old English ric (power) and heard (hardy/brave). The suffix son refers to 'son of' or 'descendant of'.
Research of the surname Richardson reveals it to be of Norman descent. The name appears in England from about 1066 and its history is prominently woven into the colourful tapestry which is an intrinsic part of the history of Britain. Professional researchers used such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Inquisition, the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, the Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, and local parish and church records to establish that the first record of the name Richardson was found in Cheshire in 1067/68 where they were descended from Hugh d'Avranche, Earl Lupus, Earl of Chester if Chester who held one of the most highest domains in the whole country. His descendant, William Belwood or Belward, Lord of Malpas (Henry 1st) in Cheshire, had two sons, David and Richard. Richard's grandson John Richardson was said to have taken the paternal name of Richardson when he moved across the Pennines to Durham and the name is found in Yorkshire records from about 1381. A Nicholas Richardson, possibly a descendant, started a family wool business in Yorkshire in 1484 (according to the earliest Bierley deed records)
Those Yorkshire roots go back a long way!
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