Sir Thomas Richardson (1569 – 4 February 1635) of Honingham in Norfolk, was an English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1621 to 1622. He was Speaker of the House of Commons for this parliament. He was later Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
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Background and early life
Richardson was born at Hardwick, Depwade Hundred, Norfolk, and was baptised there on 3 July 1569, the son of William Richardson whose family were said to be descended from the younger son of a Norman family, John, who moved to County Durham in about 1100. Other branches of the family included the Richardsons of the Briary in County Durham, and the Richardsons of Glanbrydan Park and Pantygwydr, Wales. However, the History of Parliament biography of his grandson states that he was "of Norfolk peasant stock". The coat of arms he used (Argent, on a chief sable three lion's heads erased of the first) was certainly that of the ancient gentry family of Richardson, of many branches.