If Jane knew someone named Richard whom she didn't like? I sometimes get the feeling that with certain names she has an aversion too. I know that kids I didn't like in primary school have "ruined" a name for me.

The only other example of a Richard in JA's work that I can think of is "poor" Dick Musgrove, Dick being a nickname for Richard. He wasn't a very nice person.

So I took it to mean that Mr Morland is nice despite having this unfortunante name. I do agree with Barbara that it was probably a family joke.