Surname Rixon - Meaning and Origin
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Rixon: What does the surname Rixon mean?
The last name Rixon is of English origins and has two possible interpretations. Some theories suggest that it may have derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Ric', the old English for 'Power', and 'Son' which, combined, created 'Power's Son'. Alternately, Rixon could have been derived from the Old English term 'ricen' meaning 'brave'.
The earliest records of the surname’s presence in England trace back to 1290 in Lancashire, with the first documented use being Richard Rixson in 1327. It then spread to the surrounding counties of Cheshire, Shropshire, Wiltshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire and London and further afield to the US and Canada.
During the Middle Ages, many people named Rixon would have been skilled craftsmen, such as blacksmiths, stonemasons and carpenters, as well as farmers.
The Rixon surname has evolved over time and the spelling is now often seen as Rixson, Rickson, Rikken and Rixen. Its presence in the United States is largely attributed to British and Irish immigrants settling in the area in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Families with the same surname can often trace their roots back to a common ancestor in this way.
In modern times, the Rixon name is common in England, the United States, Canada and Australia, with the original spelling being less common.
Order DNA origin analysisRixon: Where does the name Rixon come from?
The surname Rixon is most common in England. It was first recorded in 1630 in Northumberland and is still found mainly in the north of England today. According to the geographical distribution of UK surnames from the 1881 census, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Northumberland continue to be the main counties with the highest concentration of bearers of the name. While England holds the highest numbers, the name is also found in Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States. The United States has fewer numbers than other countries, however, similar to England it can be located predominantly in the east of the country along the eastern seaboard, New York and Pennsylvania having the most people bearing the surname.
The Rixon family name is considered to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, having derived from a place name, with means ‘rye house or farm'. The settlers likely followed the early medieval practice of naming a dwelling after its principal product or activity. The name therefore signified that its original bearer either lived near a rye field or cultivated rye. Throughout the centuries, most families of Rixon have continued the agricultural tradition, with many cherishing stories and memories of their farm or homestead.
Today, the Rixon surname is still a common one in the UK, especially in the north of England and Scotland. It is also present in other countries around the world, although in lower numbers, with particularly significant pockets in the eastern United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Rixon
The surname Rixon is thought to have derived from the Old English 'ric,' meaning 'ruler,' and 'sunu,' meaning 'son.' Variant spellings of Rixon include Rikison, Rickeson, Ricksen, Richensen, Richensun, Rixson, Rixsson, Rykeson, Ryke.
It's also thought that certain other surnames may share the same origin and family history. These include Rechinson, Rixon-O'Neill, Rixon-Tolbert, Ritchesson and Ritchey.
Rixon is a relatively rare surname, and as a result is not included in the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, which lists over 45,000 of the most common surnames. It is more likely to have originated as a locational or occupational name which has spread across England and Northern Ireland over the course of several centuries.
One branch of the Rixon family is said to have originated in Dundee in Scotland, with several emigrating to America in the 1800s.
The name is also prevalent in Ireland, mainly in counties such as Armagh, Fermanagh and Antrim. It is believed to have been introduced to Ireland in the 1700s after Scottish settlers, assuming the Rixon name, migrated across to Ireland in search of better opportunities.
The earliest record of the surname Rixon dates back to 1273, referencing Hugo Rixsson in Northumberland. This indicates that the Rixon family stretches back multiple centuries.
Given the rarity of the Rixon surname, it is likely that its origin comes from a relatively few people. Nonetheless, over the centuries it has spread, and is now common across both England and Ireland.
Famous people with the name Rixon
- Mark Rixon: English cricketer, and former captain of Warwickshire County Cricket Club
- Paul Rixon: English comedian and husband of singer Patsy Rixon
- Patsy Rixon: English singer and wife of comedian Paul Rixon
- David Rixon: Canadian figure skater, competing in both pairs and ice dancing
- Shane Rixon: Australian professional golfer
- John Rixon: former English international football player
- Roy Rixon: former Scottish international football player
- David Rixon: English actor
- David Rixon: British ambassador
- Clive Rixon: Australian cricketer and former national team coach