Middle English word riche comes from Proto-Indo-European *rog-, Proto-Indo-European *(o)reǵ-, and later Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (King, ruler.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *rog- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *(o)reǵ- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | to straighten, direct |
| *rig | Proto-Celtic (cel-pro) | |
| *h₃rḗǵs | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | King, ruler. |
| *rīgos | Proto-Celtic (cel-pro) | |
| *rix | Gaulish (cel-gau) | |
| *rīxs | Proto-Celtic (cel-pro) | King. |
| *rīgyo- | Proto-Celtic (cel-pro) | |
| *rīgiom | Proto-Celtic (cel-pro) | |
| *rīkijaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Kingly, royal, noble. Mighty, powerful. Rich. |
| *rīkī | Frankish (frk) | Rich. |
| *riki | Frankish (frk) | |
| *rīki | Frankish (frk) | |
| *ricius | Vulgar Latin (la-vul) | |
| riche | Old French (fro) | Rich (possessing wealth). |
| rīċe | Old English (ang) | |
| riche | Middle English (enm) | Rich (possessing wealth). |