Surname Rix - Meaning and Origin
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Rix: What does the surname Rix mean?
The surname Rix is of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and is a patronymic form of the Old English personal name 'Ric', a short form of various compound names with the first element 'ric', meaning power or rule. Thus, the surname could mean "son of Ric." It arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The early recordings of the name were found mainly in Norfolk, England. The name has various spelling forms including Rix, Rixon, Rixson, among others. Over time, it spread across several English-speaking countries, as well as Germany, where it could also be locational, from places named Rix, Rixe, or Rixheim. As of now, it is still not overly common and remains a rather unique surname.
Order DNA origin analysisRix: Where does the name Rix come from?
The last name Rix is found mainly in the United Kingdom today, with over 11,500 entries in the UK's 2011 census. The majority of people with the name Rix call England and Wales their home, with 1,700 and 8,800 respectively. Scotland and Northern Ireland both list fewer than 300 Rix individuals each.
The UK's population of Rix has likely grown since 2011, as people who originated from other countries may have adopted the name. Working-class families were known to adopt names reflecting their place of origin, occupation, or circumstance centuries ago. Rix is actually derived from a placename, from "Rix Hill" near the village of Wreningham in Norfolk, where many people bearing the name still live today. It is likely the name spread from Norfolk to neighboring areas throughout England and Wales, although a few Rix families have since moved farther North to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Outside the UK, Rix is less common but still occasionally spotted, with 44 people in the US, 33 in Canada, and 19 in Australia, according to the 2018 Global Assets Database. In each of these countries, it is likely the surname is held by individuals with family ties to the UK. So, although Rix is certainly considered more of a British surname, one will also find individuals bearing the name elsewhere around the world.
Variations of the surname Rix
The surname Rix is derived from the various Anglo-Saxon words that were used to describe rulers and leaders. It is most commonly found in the English language, but can also be found in various other languages, including German, Dutch, French, Greek, and Polish.
In English, the surname Rix is most commonly spelled as ‘Rix’. However, variants of this spelling include ‘Ricks,’ ‘Ricks,’ ‘Rixs,’ and ‘Rixx.’ The surname may also be found spelled as ‘Rixe’ in Dutch and with the Polish spelling ‘Ryks.’
Some common surnames that developed from the original Anglo-Saxon ‘Rix’ are ‘Ricks,’ ‘Ricketts,’ ‘Rixons,’ ‘Riches,’ and ‘Rixens.’ Variations of these surnames include ‘Rixson,’ ‘Rixen,’ ‘Richers,’ and the Dutch spelling ‘Rixes.’
The origins of the surname ‘Rix’ can be traced back to an ancient Anglo-Saxon chieftain, named ‘Rex,’ who ruled over a large area of land in the middle of the 8th century. The surname is also believed to have originated from the name ‘Reyne,’ the Anglo-Saxon word for ‘king.’
Over time, it is thought that the ‘Rix’ spelling became common throughout Britain and Europe. The name’s meanings remain largely the same today, as a person with the surname Rix is considered to be ‘powerful and respected.’
Famous people with the name Rix
- John Rix: British actor and writer known for the films Water and Mr. Harty's Grand Tour.
- Molly Rix: American theatre actress, singer and dancer who starred in the films Grand Hotel and The King and I.
- Annie Rix Militz: American suffragist and spiritual mentor.
- Anna Rix: English actress who starred as Cinderella in the 1933 film adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
- Alfred Rix: British engineer and pioneer of the automobile world.
- Barbara Rix: Australian actress who starred in the films The Rage in Placid Lake and Small Claims.
- Steven Rix: American composer and producer best known for producing the Emmy Award-winning theme song for the television show High School Musical.
- Rogan Rix: American actor who starred in the films The Dark Knight and Inception.
- Ben Rix: British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire.
- William Rix: English art historian and lecturer known for his works on the introduction of the use of oil-based paints in Western Europe.