The surname Rice is of Welsh origin.The name is an anglicized form of Rhys,itself derived from one of the most common of Welsh names,’Ris’,which means ‘fiery warrior'(ardour,a rush).This was the name of the last ruler of an independant kingdom of Wales,Rhys ap Tewder,who died in 1093 unsuccessfully opposing the Norman advance,although he did to a degree manage to check the Norman advance.Rhys ap Gruffydd,belonging to the same great South Wales family,became so powerful that Henry II of England appointed him King’s Justiciar for Wales.From Rhys are derived the surnames of Reece,Reese,and Rice.The name dates back in its Welsh form to the tenth century were a Hris is recorded in historical archives;a more modern form of the name is recorded in the fifteenth century,John Ryce.The name was brought to America by Welsh immigrants and is strongly represented in America;proving that the Welsh are great wanderers.One of the first fore fathers to bring this name to America is that of a William Rice,formerly of Essex,who cam…
Coat of arms: Gules a chevro…