Surname Ruttledge - Meaning and Origin
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Ruttledge: What does the surname Ruttledge mean?
The surname Ruttledge is of English origin and derives from a location-based name. It’s a combination of “Rud” which is an abbreviation of a given name like "Rudolph," and the Old English term “leah” which means 'wood' or 'clearing.' Thus, Ruttledge can be interpreted as ‘Rud's wood’ or ‘Rud's clearing.’ This was often given to individuals who lived near or worked in woods. The surname has several variations including Rutledge, Routledge, Routlidge, Ruttledge, and others. Though it originated in England, it’s found today in many English-speaking countries. In terms of its frequency, Ruttledge is less common compared to its other derivations like Rutledge. People with this surname can be found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and Australia among other nations. It is important to consider that the exact meaning and origin may vary among families bearing this surname today and historical context should be taken into account.
Order DNA origin analysisRuttledge: Where does the name Ruttledge come from?
The last name Ruttledge is most commonly found in regions where tracing family history is an important part of cultural identity, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
It is likely that most people who bear the name Ruttledge today are descended from an individual or family who originated in some of the countries of the British Isles. Many Ruttledge families have likely been living in the British Isles since the middle ages, or even earlier. In fact, the family may have derived from the Norman surname de Rutledge. During the feudal period, these Norman family names were modified and the modern spelling of de Rutledge was likely derived from this.
In the United States, many Ruttledge families settled in the southern states. From the 1820s to the 1930s, millions of people from the British Isles moved to the United States in search of a new life. The majority of those who settled in the south were likely of British origin. As a result, many Ruttledge families in the United States are likely to be descended from Patrick, James, and Thomas Ruttledge, three brothers who immigrated to America from Ireland during the mid-nineteenth century.
In other countries, Ruttledge families have likely been in practice since at least the 1700s. For example, records indicate that in Australia, James Ruttledge arrived in the then British colony of New South Wales in the year 1835. He eventually settled in the state of Victoria, where he and his descendants eventually put down roots.
Today, the Ruttledge name is just one of many families who can trace their ancestry in the British Isles and its former colonies. As evidence of this, the surname Ruttledge appears on surname maps of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Ruttledge
The surname Rutledge is derived from the Old English personal name attributed to a person from Rutland in England. Variants of the surname include Rutledge, Rutiledge, Rutlidge, Rutley, Rutly, Ruttley, Ruttly, and Rootledge. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English word "rut" which means " Stratagem."
Spellings of the surname Rutledge include Rutlidge, Ruttledge, Ruttlidge, Ruttlegh, Ruttlege, Ruttlidsge, Rutlege, Rootledge, Rutliidge, Rotelge, Rutilidg, Ruttilidge, Rutillidge, and Rutilldge.
Some surnames with the same origin include Root, Rootes, Ruth, Ruthledge, and Ryttle.
Root/Roote is thought to have been derived from a nickname of much the same nature as Rutledge, with the Middle English “rut” remaining basically unchanged. The Ruth family is thought to have been the line that moved from Shropshire to Berkshire in the early 1400s. The Ruthledge and Ryttle families both found their origin in Worcestershire, England.
As the Rutledge surname was derived from an Old English personal name, it may have influenced the surnames for families of other origins. Variations of the Rutledge name may have been formed by individuals using a two-syllable version of the surname.
The variants spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the Rutledge surname show that it has its roots in England but has evolved and spread to other places in the world over time.
Famous people with the name Ruttledge
- Wes Ruttledge, former college basketball coach
- John Ruttledge, Irish composer and musician
- Brooke Ruttledge, an Australian contemporary artist
- David Ruttledge, British broadcast journalist
- Anne Ruttledge, former American television producer
- Curtis Ruttledge, American golf professional
- Ward Ruttledge, American oil painter
- Dr. Robert Ruttledge, Canadian professor of medical science
- Kate Ruttledge, Australian beekeeper
- Eden Ruttledge, British model and social media influencer