This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Ritchie family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Ritchie Family History

Ritchie Surname Meaning

Scottish: from a Scottish and northern English pet form of the personal name Rich, a short form of Richard.

This surname is also common in Ulster.

Altered form of German Richer.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Ritchie family from?

You can see how Ritchie families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ritchie family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ritchie families were found in and Scotland in 1841. In 1891 there were 385 Ritchie families living in Lancashire. This was about 20% of all the recorded Ritchie's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Ritchie families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ritchie surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Ritchie ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Ritchie. 17% of Ritchie men worked as a General Labourer and 69% of Ritchie women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ritchie were Medical Practitioner and Housewife.

View Census Data for Ritchie | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    17%
  • Painter decorator
    5%
  • Bricklayer
    4%
  • Medical Practitioner
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    69%
  • Private Means
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Housewife
    2%

What Ritchie family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 281,000 census records available for the last name Ritchie. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ritchie census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ritchie

Passenger Lists

There are 80,000 immigration records available for the last name Ritchie. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Ritchie immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 39,000 military records available for the last name Ritchie. For the veterans among your Ritchie ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Ritchie military records

You've only scratched the surface of Ritchie family history

Discover More

What is the average Ritchie lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Ritchie life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1941, and highest in 1990. The average life expectancy for Ritchie in 1941 was 25, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ritchie

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Ritchie ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Ritchie family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial