Rickman Family Genealogy & History

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman was a renowned English actor and director, celebrated for his deep, languid voice and compelling performances. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and became a key member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Rickman earned acclaim for roles in "Die Hard" as Hans Gruber, the "Harry Potter" series as Severus Snape, and films like "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "Sense and Sensibility." His work in television, including "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny," garnered him several prestigious awards. Rickman's directorial efforts included "The Winter Guest" and "A Little Chaos."

Alan Rickman was born in Acton, London, to Margaret Doreen Rose, a Welsh housewife, and Bernard William Rickman, a factory worker with Irish roots. Raised in a predominantly Celtic family, Rickman had two brothers, David and Michael, and a sister, Sheila. After his father's early death when Alan was eight, his mother struggled to raise the family alone, later remarrying briefly. Rickman's early life in a culturally rich family influenced his artistic pursuits, ultimately leading him to a celebrated acting career.

Dennis Rickman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by Nigel Harman. First appearing on 14 April 2003, Dennis quickly became a central figure in the series, noted for his role in dramatic storylines such as the murder of his former boss Jack Dalton and his romance with Sharon Watts. His character was a "soap sex-symbol," recognized for his "dark good looks" and winning several awards, including "Best Newcomer" at the National Television Awards in 2003, and "Best Actor" and "Sexiest Male" at the British Soap Awards in 2004 and 2005. Dennis's storyline concluded with his death on 30 December 2005, marking a significant moment in EastEnders history.

Phil Rickman (1950–2024) was a renowned British author, celebrated for his supernatural and mystery novels. Known for the Merrily Watkins series, which he started in 1998, Rickman also penned the John Dee Papers and standalone novels like "Candlenight" (1991) and "Crybbe" (1993). Writing under pen names Thom Madley and Will Kingdom, he explored themes of folklore, religion, and the supernatural. His works, such as "Midwinter of the Spirit," were adapted for television, further amplifying his influence. Beyond writing, Rickman contributed to music albums inspired by his books, showcasing his multifaceted talent.

Rickman was born in Lancashire and spent much of his life in Wales, residing in Hay-on-Wye with his wife as of 2020.

Thomas Rickman (1776-1841) was a pivotal English architect and architectural antiquary in the Gothic Revival movement. Renowned for his 1817 publication, "An Attempt to Discriminate the Styles of English Architecture," Rickman established a systematic classification of English medieval ecclesiastical architecture, contributing significantly to the field. Despite being self-taught, he became a successful architect, designing numerous churches throughout England, including the renowned St. George's Church in Birmingham. His work, although criticized for lacking the spirit of medieval styles, played a crucial role in reviving interest in medievalism, earning him a prominent place alongside figures like Pugin in architectural history.

Thomas Rickman was born into a large Quaker family in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in 1776. His father was a grocer and druggist who initially envisioned a medical career for Thomas.