This name is ultimately derived from the personal name "Richard", which is of Germanic origin and composed of the elements "ric", meaning "power" or "rule", and "hard", hardy, brave, or strong. The name was known in pre Conquest England, but became very widespread after 1066, from its popularity with the Normans. "Rickett(s)" can also derive from the personal name "Richer", again from the Germanic elements "ric" plus "heri" or "hari", meaning "army" and also introduced into England by the Normans as "Richier". From either source "Rickett(s) is a double diminutive, meaning "the son of Richards" (Rick's) son, the "s" on the name being here the patronymic form. Elizabeth Ricketts was christened in 1659 at St. James' Clerkenwell, London.A Coat of Arms was granted on 3rd November 1773 to William Ricards, as the name was originally spelt, served at the conquest of Jamaica, holding a captain's commission in 1665, which commission being made out to Ricketts. One of his sons, William founded the family of Ricketts in North America. The Coat of Arms has the blazon of erminois on a chevron between three red roses two swords in chevron proper their points crossing in saltire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hester Rickett, who married John Scarborough, which was dated 1606, at St Mary Aldermary, London, during the reign of King James 1 of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. 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.

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