Surname Ridd - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Ridd: What does the surname Ridd mean?
The last name Ridd is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "ryd", meaning "a clearing in a forest". It is a topographic surname, which means it was given to people based on a geographic feature or a man-made feature near their residence. In the case of Ridd, it was likely given to a person who lived near or within a clearing in a forest. Topographic surnames were among the earliest surnames to be created, as they were easily recognizable landmarks or features which could be used for identification. Therefore, the Ridd surname likely dates back to the early Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisRidd: Where does the name Ridd come from?
The last name Ridd is quite common throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, especially in the south of England. It is also found in North America, particularly in Canada, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Ridd is believed to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Rid, which is a diminutive form of Richard. Consequently, the surname Ridd is believed to have originated from the old English name for someone who was a loyal or powerful leader. It could have also originated from a name given to someone who worked on a medieval English estate or farmstead.
Today, the last name Ridd is scattered throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, Ridd is considered a particularly rare surname, with around 60 instances found in the UK's 1881 census. However, Ridd is estimated to be 3,324th most common surname in the US, with more than 5,900 people carrying it across the country.
In Canada, the last name Ridd is particularly common in Alberta, and New Brunswick. Additionally, Ridd is found in Australia and New Zealand, and is considered one of the most rare surnames there. In 2019, it was recorded as the 10,615th most common surname worldwide, with more than 9,200 people in over 50 countries carrying it.
Variations of the surname Ridd
The surname Ridd is believed to have originated in England, and it is most commonly found in Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "riede" which means "a flood plain". This surname is also found in Germany, where it is spelt "Riede" or "Ried", and in France, where it is "Rideau".
Variants of this surname include Ridd, Rid, Ridde, Ridding, Riddell, Ridel, Riddle, Rede, Red, Reed, Read and Ridout.
Common spellings of the name include Ridd, Ridde, Reed, Read and Ridout, but it is also found with alternative spellings such as Ridout, Rede, Red, Riddle and Ridel.
Surnames of the same origin include Ridgway, Riddick, Riden, Ridler and Riddell.
The surname Ridout is believed to originate from the Middle English "redout" which means "alarm or signal of danger". The surname Read is believed to originate from a nickname used to describe someone of an alert and vigilant nature.
In some instances, the surname Ridd is a variant of the French surname Rideaux, which is thought to originate from the Old French word "ridel", meaning "a thick cushion". Other surnames of similar origin include Riden, Ridler and Riddick.
In conclusion, the surname Ridd can be found with various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, and has evolved over time to encompass many different spellings and meanings.
Famous people with the name Ridd
- Corey Ridd: Professional athlete, plays lacrosse, formerly of the Long Island Lizards
- Leigh Ridd: Former professional basketball player, retired in 2004 after playing with the Seattle SuperSonics and Los Angeles Sparks
- Evan Ridd: Retired American football player, linebacker who most recently played for the Cleveland Browns
- Tracy Ridd: Professional poker player
- James Ridd: British actor, known for his roles in TV series such as Game of Thrones, Jenna: The Last Ship and Victoria
- Rex Ridd: Family doctor, known for offering dedicated care to the elderly in noth east England
- Gavin Ridd: Award-winning photographer
- Lindsey Ridd: Writer and director of independent films
- Leigh Riddick: Singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
- Mel Ridd: Painting artist known for his vibrant and immersive abstracts
- Sue Ridd: Ceramics artist who specializes in porcelain works
- Jane Ridd: Sportscaster for the National Basketball Association
- Rebecca Ridd: Political journalist and commentator
- Robert Riddell: Bassist for the British hard rock band The Arctic Monkeys
- Paul Ridd: British astrophysicist and lecturer at the University of Cambridge
- Adam Ridd: Award winning sculptor and painter