Surname Ridley - Meaning and Origin
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read moreRidley: What does the surname Ridley mean?
The surname Ridley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is locational from places so called in Cheshire and Northumberland, England. The name is a derivative of the Olde English pre 7th Century "geryd", meaning a channel or stream, and "leah", a clearing or meadow; hence, "stream-clearing". The surname dates back to the late 12th Century and variations for this name range from Rydley, Ridly, Ridleigh, to Riderley. The surname was first found in Cheshire at Ridley, a township, in the parish of Bunbury, union of Nantwich which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Retlie. Early bearers of the name might have been dwellers by or near such a feature or may have been named after the place itself. As a locational surname, it was typically acquired by a former inhabitant of a place or a landowner, and especially by those who had moved to another area, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Interestingly, the name Ridley was also found among many Scottish bearers, listed as an old border name in West Roxburgh.
Order DNA origin analysisRidley: Where does the name Ridley come from?
The last name Ridley is common throughout the world today, especially in the United Kingdom. The largest concentrations of the name are located in England, with populations existing in other countries like the United States, the Netherlands, and Scotland.
In the United Kingdom, the most notable population of Ridleys is located in Northumberland, a region in the northeast of England, particularly around the area of the county town of Morpeth and a smaller concentration just south of Hexham. Records of the name have dated back to the 1300s when it was commonly used as a landowning surname in the area. The modern-day name is believed to originate from the Old English words "hrīd," meaning "riding," and "lēah," meaning "meadow," which, together, formed the phrase "Riding Meadow," or “Ryddyngley.”
Ridley is also popular in the United States, with large populations in New York, California, and Texas. It is also present in France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and other countries.
No matter the region, the Ridley surname remains a proud symbol of a long heritage that stretches back many centuries. To this day it continues to be a proud testament to the numerous generations of Ridleys that have come before, and the many more generations to come.
Variations of the surname Ridley
The surname Ridley is derived from the Old English words 'hraed' (wood) and 'leah' (clearing). Variations of this surname include Ridel, Ridell, Readell, Ridle, Rydell, Rydely, Riddell and Ryddell.
Ridel could be from the old English 'raedel' meaning 'red-haired', 'Ridell' and 'Readell' may be derived from place names, 'Ridle' may have come from a variation of 'Ruddel', which is a diminitive of 'Rhoderick' or 'Roderick', 'Rydell' may have been derived from a place name, 'Rydely' may be derived from the Old English 'ridu' meaning 'wood' or 'clearing' and 'Riddell' and 'Ryddell' may have come from a combination of the Old English 'hriddel' and 'leah' meaning 'wood manor'.
The different variants of the surname Ridley might also have arisen from alternative pronunciations of the original name, with regional influences causing the spelling of the name to fluctuate over time. Another reason for the variations might be due to recordings of the surname being spelt as it sounded to a scribe or clerk, leading to issues such as spelling inconsistencies and an inability to adhere to modern day spellings.
The surname Ridley is found in many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Ridley
- Daisy Ridley: English actress best known for her starring role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
- Tony Ridley: English professional football player who played for various teams from 1966 to 1977. He is most known for his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa.
- Matt Ridley: British journalist, businessman, scientist, and author. He is noted for his writing on science, the environment, and economics.
- Amanda Ridley: Top playwright and actress who has performed on Broadway and starred in different films and television series.
- Billy Ridley: Country music singer and songwriter, specifically no-nonsense truck driver and hard-living tunes, he recorded some of the biggest hits of the '40s and '50s.
- Sophia Ridley: British model, TV presenter, stylist, fashion editor and occasional actress. She is best known as a contestant on Cycle 5 of Britain's Next Top Model.
- Macy Ridley: Singer and songwriter who has collaborated with various artists and written popular songs like 'No Sundays' and 'The Right to Jump'.
- Sergei Ridley: British actor and stuntman. He is best known for his roles in Game of Thrones, Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Paul Ridley: Award-winning journalist and filmmaker based in the United States. He has written and directed videos for The New York Times, HBO, The Wall Street Journal, and other major outlets.
- Rhett Ridley: American actor, producer, director, and writer. He is best known for his roles in The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, and The Walking Dead.