Surname Rutlege - Meaning and Origin

Rutlege: What does the surname Rutlege mean?

The surname Rutlege is of English origin and seems to have derived from a geographical location. The name is likely derived from the Old English “hryther” meaning “cattle” and “leah” meaning “wood or clearing”. Hence, the surname possibly referred to a person residing by a clearing where cattle were kept. Over time, the original spelling likely encountered variations, resulting in forms such as "Rutlege," among others. Various families with this surname spread across England and later migrated to other nations such as United States, Canada, Australia, leading to its global presence now. Many such place-derived surnames became hereditary under the Normans and remained so even after the use of such personal locations stopped. Therefore, the bearer of the surname Rutlege today may not necessarily have any connection with such a location.

Rutlege: Where does the name Rutlege come from?

The last name Rutlege is common throughout many English-speaking countries today. In the United States of America, for example, Rutlege can be found in almost all the states. According to the United States Census Bureau, the state of West Virginia has the highest concentration of Rutlege with 316 people with the surname living there in 2011. Kentucky and Virginia are the next two most populous US states with Rutlege.

In the United Kingdom, Rutlege is particularly common in Scotland. In 2011, there were approximately 934 people with the last name living there, more than any other country in the UK. The second most populous country in the UK in terms of Rutleges is England, followed by Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man.

The Rutlege population is also concentrated in other Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia. Canada is home to roughly 448 Rutleges, while Australia is home to more than 182 people with the surname.

In total, the population of Rutlege in all countries is estimated to be around 12,173 people, making it a relatively small but widespread population.

Variations of the surname Rutlege

The surname Rutlege has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Rutlidge, Rutledg, and Rutledge. It is a toponymic surname, deriving from either English regional locations such as Rutland in the Midlands of England or Rutledge in Yorkshire, England. A spelling variation of this surname is Rutlege, which is most commonly used in America, Ireland, and Scotland.

Another spelling variation of the Rutlege surname is Rutlidge. The same regional locations would be linked to this spelling, indicating its toponymic origin. This spelling is most commonly seen in Germany, Northern England, and the Netherlands.

Rutledg is another variant spelling of the Rutlege surname. It focuses upon the Loganame sounds of the surname rather than the toponymic origins. This spelling is most commonly seen in Eastern Germany and Poland.

The Rutledge surname is a derivative of the Rutlege surname, and it is most commonly seen in America and the United Kingdom. This spelling focuses upon the switched sounds, where the ‘d’ sound is used as a switch between ‘t’ and ‘l’.

The surname Rutlege has a revolving origin story, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. All these variants, spellings, and surnames show the interesting toponymic origin, switches of sound, and ancestral origin of the Rutlege surname.

Famous people with the name Rutlege

• John Rutledge: John Rutledge was a signer of the US Constitution and the second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
• Philip Rutledge: Philip Rutledge is a US Air Force Lieutenant General and former vice commander of Air Mobility Command.
• Michael Rutledge: Michael Rutledge is a professional football player in the NFL, an Air Force veteran, and President of the Michael Rutledge Foundation, which benefits veterans.
• Johann Rutlege: Johann Rutlege is an artist and sculptor who has serves as the President of the Hawaii-based Institute for the Arts since 2005.
• Rachele Rutledge: Rachele Rutledge is a television presenter and news correspondent in the United Kingdom.
• Ann Rutledge: Ann Rutledge was a 19th century American schoolteacher and a romanticized figure in Abraham Lincoln's early life.
• Ted Rutledge: Ted Rutledge is a British business executive who has served as President of the London-based International Power PLC since 2012.
• Lydia Rutledge: Lydia Rutledge is a country music singer-songwriter and actress best known for her 2012 single "icicles".
• Harry Rutherford Rutledge: Harry Rutherford Rutledge was the 31st Governor of South Carolina from 1925-1927.
• Warren Rutledge: Warren Rutledge is an American film producer, writer, and actor known for his work on the TV series Psych and Mad Men.

Other surnames

Rutledge