Surname Riddoch - Meaning and Origin

Riddoch: What does the surname Riddoch mean?

The surname Riddoch is Scottish in origin, specifically from the region of Grampian which is located in the northeastern part of the country. The name is believed to be a regional or locational surname, referring to people who lived in the region named Rora in Aberdeenshire. It's thought to have evolved from the Gaelic term "ruadh," which means "red," and may have initially referred to someone with red hair, or possibly someone living by the "red brook," referring to a stream of water that frequently ran red with clay. However, the exact origin and meaning might vary based on historical contexts and individual family lineages. Over time, spelling variations of the surname would also appear, including Rorison, Runcie, Runciman, Rorie, Rorison, and others. Like many surnames that originated centuries ago, understanding the exact and comprehensive meaning of the name “Riddoch” can be challenging and subject to speculation. It's important to consider regional and historical contexts while attempting to understand the meaning of such an old name.

Riddoch: Where does the name Riddoch come from?

The last name Riddoch is most commonly found in Scotland and northern England. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "MacRighdhuich" which originated from the eastern Highlands of Scotland. The name is associated with the Clan MacBeth, who were a powerful family in Scotland in the 8th and 9th centuries.

The earliest record of the family Riddoch dates back to Around 1399, when Patrick Rydoch of Edinburghshire was recorded as a witness in a court summons. In the late 16th century, the surname appears in many areas of southern Scotland and northern England. In the early 19th century, many Riddochs migrated to areas of Northern Ireland, especially in the Ulster Province.

Today, the last name Riddoch is found in mainly Scotland and Northern England. Mentions of the name can also be found in areas of Australia where settlers of Scottish heritage migrated in the 19th century. Canada is also home to some Riddochs, who moved from Scotland in the mid-1800s. The United States also houses the Riddochs in states such as Massachusetts and New York, where they arrived by ship in the late 19th century.

In Scotland, the last name Riddoch remains associated with the clan MacBeth. Although the surname is spread across the globe, the majority of its members still remain in the areas of Scotland and northern England.

Variations of the surname Riddoch

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Riddoch include Riddick, Ryddoch, Rydoch and Reddoch. These all derive from the Old English personal name "Ridig", which is composed of two elements - "ridd" meaning "riding" and "ig" meaning "warrior". It can also be found as a place name in Scotland.

The earliest occurrence of the Riddoch surname is from Scotland in the 16th century, with the first recorded spelling of the name appearing as "Ridoche", in the register of the town of Stirling. Over time, the spelling of the surname changed to "Riddoch" due to various influences, such as spelling mistakes, dialect and dialects, and even immigration to other countries with different languages. The surname appears in records throughout Scotland, especially in Argyll and Bute.

Variations of the Riddoch surname such as Riddick, Reddoch, Ryddoch and Rydoch also derive from the same root word, indicative of a common ancestry. Common spellings can be seen in various 19th century records such as birth, marriage and death indexes, as well as census reports.

Variations of the Riddoch surname can also be found outside of Scotland, with immigrants settling in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and elsewhere. Such settlers often Anglicised the name, resulting in a variety of spellings. For example, "Riddick" can also be spelled "Ridich", "Riddock", "Riddik" and so on.

In summary, the Riddoch surname can be found in various forms both in Scotland and outside, with variants such as Riddick, Reddoch, Ryddoch and Rydoch all derived from the same Old English personal name. It is a name that has stood the test of time and has followed many generations of people from place to place.

Famous people with the name Riddoch

• Fiona Riddoch: she is a Scottish businesswoman, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and Life & Executive Coach.
• Deano Riddoch: he is a Scottish professional footballer and currently plays for Brechin City.
• Steve Riddoch: he is a former Scottish footballer and was the assistant manager of his former club Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
• Kirstin Riddoch: she is a Scottish radio presenter and journalist, currently working for BBC Radio Scotland.
• Sam Riddoch: he is a Scottish actor and singer-songwriter, most notable for his roles in the BBC Scotland drama series Tinsel Town and the TV show Scoop.
• Karl Riddoch: he is a Scottish record producer, engineer, and mixer, best known for his work with Bring Me the Horizon and other notable artists such as You Me At Six and Lower Than Atlantis.
• Aaron Riddoch: he is a former professional wrestler in Scotland, formerly known as Absolute Andy.
• Jamie Riddoch: he is a Scottish businessman and entrepreneur, the founder of the firm Third Professional Solutions and a specialist in human-machine interfaces.
• Will Riddoch: he is a Scottish professional golfer currently playing on the European Tour.
• Kim Riddoch: she is a professional Scottish artist, with exhibitions around the world and is a fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art.

Other surnames

Riddout