Surname Ruthven - Meaning and Origin
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Ruthven: What does the surname Ruthven mean?
The surname Ruthven is of Scottish origin, derived from a place name in Perthshire, Scotland. The name denotes someone from this region. The meaning of Ruthven is uncertain as it might have Gaelic or Pictish roots. One interpretation is that it comes from the Gaelic words 'ruth' meaning 'red' and 'bheinn' meaning 'hill', thus referring to someone living on or near a red hill. Alternatively, it could originate from a Pictish word for a type of small fort called a 'rath'. The name Ruthven was historically associated with nobility; the Ruthven family were significant Scottish nobles during the Middle Ages, but their line was attainted in the 17th century. The name has also been used for places in Scotland, like Ruthven Castle, and around the world, including in Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisRuthven: Where does the name Ruthven come from?
The surname Ruthven is a name of Scottish origin, and is more commonly found in the United Kingdom today. The Ruthvens are one of an ancient group of noble families in Scotland, whose surname is derived from a royal name. They can trace their family roots back to a variant of the Norse name ‘Valdar’ and the roots of the name are thought to stretch back to the 3rd century.
The Ruthvens were traditionally located in and around Perthshire in Scotland and there are many variants of the name including Rufven, Rutherford, Rufous, or Rutt.
The most famous bearer of the Ruthven family name is Robert Ruthven, 1st Lord Ruthven, a Scottish nobleman and politician. He was an influential member of King James VI of Scotland's court and later, became a privateer in the English Channel in spite of his landholding status.
The Ruthven name is still common today in the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, where the majority of bearers reside. The Ruthven surname is not as common in the United States, though there are those with the name living throughout the country as well. In Australia, the Ruthven name is common in some areas, particularly in the states of South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Variations of the surname Ruthven
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of the surname Ruthven include Raw root, Rut, Ruth, Ruthve, Ruthe, Ruthen, Ruthei, Ruthenne, Rutheven, Ruthfou, Ruthfow, Ruthphane, Rutheffan, Ruthefuu, Ruthiffan, Ruthife, Ruthifen, Ruthisan, Ruthsson, Ruce, Ruche, Rutt, Ruttie, Rutty and Ruchvain.
The earliest use of Ruthven can be traced back to the 11th century and was first seen in England, where it is believed to have originated from a personal name meaning ‘red hair’. The name Ruth was a common given name in the ancient Hebrew culture, where it meant to be compassionate. Variations of the name Ruthar are found in England as well as Scotland.
The most common variants of the name are found in Scotland where the spelling is Ruthven, however the name is also seen in England and Ireland often with the suffix ‘-son’. Other variants of the name, such as Ruthe and Ruthari, are found throughout various parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland.
The spelling variants found in speciific regions are built on the syllabic root of the name, with some variations being Ruthen, Ruchvain, Ruthphane and Ruthfou.
In Scotland, the Ruthven surname is believed to come from the Old Gaelic personal name Ruadhàn. Other surnames related to the Ruthvens include Routon, Ratton, Ruttan and Ratten.
The spelling of Ruthven, and its various variants, has evolved through the centuries and its usage has continued to spread throughout the British Isles and beyond. Despite this, the basic origin of the surname remains the same.
Famous people with the name Ruthven
- Ruan Ruthven: Gaelic footballer from Northern Ireland.
- Alastair Ruthven: British author and historian.
- Alexander Ruthven: Receiver-General of the Duchy of Cornwall and MP for Cornwall.
- Cynthia Blomfield Ruthven: British beauty pageant contestant, photojournalist, and costume designer.
- Duncan McNeill Ruthven: British barrister and chief justice of the Gambia.
- Patrick Ruthven: influential British soldier and politician.
- Paul Ruthven: British conservationist and conservation photographer.
- Phillip Ruthven: Malaysian-born Australian researcher and entrepreneur.
- Stephen Ruthven: Australian botanist and plant pathologist.
- Sarah Ruthven: British film producer and theatre director.