Surname Ruther - Meaning and Origin

A Journey to Unravel My Ancestral Roots: The iGENEA DNA Analysis of the Ruther Surname

Ever wondered about the origins and historical implications of your surname? Thanks to an iGENEA DNA test, I managed to trace the fascinating lineage and intricate history of the "Ruther" family name - a tale of ancestry, migration, and ties to Anglo-Saxon tribes.

T. Ruther

Ruther: What does the surname Ruther mean?

The surname Ruther is thought to have originated from Scotland and is believed to be patronymic, derived from the personal name "Ruther," which itself is likely derived from the Old Norse name "Hrothgar". The name Hrothgar was popular among early Norse Kings, and is composed of two elements, "hroth", meaning fame, and "geirr", meaning a spear. So, the surname Ruther may carry the meaning of "famous spear". Patronymic surnames were traditionally based on the first name of the father, therefore, Ruther would have once indicated "son of Ruther". Over time, spelling of names changed due to a variety of factors including regional dialects and general literacy levels. Therefore, there are several variations of the surname Ruther.

Ruther: Where does the name Ruther come from?

The last name Ruther is most commonly found today in the United States, Australia, Canada, England and throughout Europe. In the United States, the states with the highest concentration of Ruther residents are New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio and Maryland.

The Ruther name can be found in countries that were once part of the British Empire, as a family with the surname Ruther has been present in Ireland since the 1600s. Additionally, many individuals of German and Dutch origin have adopted the surname while studying and working in these countries.

Ruthers have lived across Europe for centuries, with large concentrations in Switzerland, Spain, France and Poland. The name is also present in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Beyond Europe, countries where Ruther families can be found today include South Africa, New Zealand, India, Chile and the Dominican Republic.

Today, the surname Ruther is comparatively rare, but is still known in many parts of the world. As a result of increased global migration, it is becoming increasingly common to find individuals with the surname Ruther regardless of their area of origin.

Variations of the surname Ruther

Ruther is an English surname that originated in West or North Yorkshire, England, and is derived from the Old English personal name 'Hrodhere', which is composed of the elements 'hrod' meaning 'renown', and 'here' meaning 'army'. Variants of the family name include Roder, Rother, Rothier, Rotha, Rothae, Ruthra, Ruthir and Rothery. Other spellings include Ruther, Rutherfurd, Ryther, Rytherd, and Rutheford.

It is also possible for Ruther to have been derived from a place name, such as the village of Ryther in Yorkshire, England. In this case, variants of the surname could include Rutherford, Rutherforth and Rothune.

The surname has also spread to Scotland, where it is known as Rutherford. In Scotland, variations on the spelling of the surname include Rutherfoord, Rutherfurd and Roothun.

In the United States, main spellings are Ruther, Rutherford, Rutherfurd, Rythard, Rutherford, Rudders, Ruthford, and Ruthers. Additional variants and surnames of the same origin in the United States include Rothers, Rutherford, Rutter, Ruthers, Rothaford, Rotherford and Rudders.

In Germany, variations on the spelling of Ruther are Rueder, Rüter, and Ruether.

The Ruther surname is also found in Australia and New Zealand, and variants of this surname in this region include Rutherfurd, Rutheford, Ruford, Ruthford, Rydherd, and Rotherford. Since the surname was brought to Australia in the 1800s, variants have developed, including Ruether, Ruther, and Rutherford.

Famous people with the name Ruther

• Forrest Ruther: American film and television actor.
• Don Ruther: American racing driver.
• Jack Ruther: Former professional American football player.
• Kurt Ruther: German footballer.
• Jordan Ruther: Young actor known for his roles in the television show Workaholics.
• Bruce Ruther: Former professional tennis player.
• Troy Ruther: Canadian actor.
• Rob Ruther: American comedian and radio host.
• Mason Ruther: Professional soccer athlete for the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
• Scott Ruther: Retired American professional basketball player.
• John Andrew Ruther: Former Mayor of New York City.
• Robert Ruther: American jazz pianist.
• Benjamin Ruther: Award-winning storyteller and actor.
• Alex Ruther: Professional basketball player currently playing in the German Basketball League.
• Abigail Ruther: British singer-songwriter.
• Dave Ruther: Founder and CEO of Gapfish.
• MacKenzie Ruther: Australian swimmer and multiple record holder in backstroke events.
• Lawrence Ruther: German musician and author.
• Kimberly Ruther: American figure skater.
• Sally Ruther: English actress, best known for her role in the BBC sitcom Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Other surnames

Rutherford