From the wide diffusion of the name in Great Britain, we might infer a similar abundance of it in America.  As a matter of fact, the name is here widely spread, and it is often impossible to trace any connection between those who bear it.  No sooner  had the country become open to colonization than the name was found at different and distant points, and in circumstances which forbid the idea of a similar origin.
    The compiler of the present work has found no Richardson on these shores earlier than 1630, and he has found quite a number during the first decade. Ezekiel Richardson, it is very certain, came over in 1630, in the fleet with Winthrop.  He was followed by his brothers, Samuel and Thomas, in 1636.
    Simon Richardson, aged 23, embarked at Gravesend for Virginia, in the ship America, June 23, 1635. Thomas Richardson, aged 26, embarked for Virginia, in the ship Transport, July 4, 1635.  John Richardson embarked at London for Virginia, in the ship Paul, July 6, 1635.  Another John Richardson, aged 18, embarked at London for Virginia, in the ship Assurance, July, 1635.  Luke Richardson, aged 17, embarked at London for Virginia, in the ship Primrose, July 27, 1635.  No further information has been obtained respecting Simon Richardson and the names following his.  Some of them, there is reason to suppose, took up their abode in New England and left posterity here, for about this time the English government began to lay impediments in the way of the settlement of New England, while they did nothing to hinder the colonization of Virginia.  On the twenty first of February, 1634, an order of the Privy Council was issued to detain ten vessels then lying in the Thames, with passengers, about to sail for New England. A similar order was issued March 30, 1638, for the detention of eight vessels then in the Thames, prepared to go for New England, and for putting on shore all the passengers who had that destination in view.  Only a week later, the king gave order that no more passengers should leave for New England except for license specially had and obtained from the Privy Council.  This, of course, put a stop to the emigration of all persons who were not disposed to acknowledge the Church of England to be the only true church, and to submit implicitly to the king's prerogative in all matters civil and religious.  We must therefore suppose that all the Richardsons of the first generation, in this country, who came to New England, came previously to 1638 or 1640