Surname Ruddell - Meaning and Origin

Ruddell: What does the surname Ruddell mean?

The surname Ruddell is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word “ruddell” which means red valley. It is believed that the family its name from a place near where they lived which was likely a valley that had red soil. The first recorded spelling of the surname was in 1273 in the Records of the Abbey of Ramsey when Thomas de Ruddell was listed as being present.

Throughout the years, the Ruddell family has been prominent around England, having many members of the military and political classes during various different reigns.

They have been scattered across several counties and have branches in numerous other countries. Today the name is still highly common and it is believed that the Ruddells are more numerous in some parts of the United States than in the United Kingdom.

The Ruddell name carries with it a number of traditions and values including the pursuit of knowledge, the preservation of heritage, loyalty and honor. The family has a strong sense of identity and prides itself on the ability to hold onto their values even in uncertain and difficult times. They are well known for their strong loyalty to their family, their faith and their country.

Ruddell: Where does the name Ruddell come from?

The last name Ruddell is common primarily in the United States and Canada today. According to the ancestor search website, Ancestry.com, the Ruddell surname is found in 36 states and 4 provinces. The states with the highest population of individuals with the last name Ruddell are Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, California, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Indiana. The largest density of the surname Ruddell is in Michigan, which accounts for 15.7 percent of the population.

The Ruddell family name appears to have its origin in England, as John Ruddell is listed in the 1275 Herefordshire, England Assize Rolls. Sliding forward in time, in the 1600s there was a Joseph Ruddle or Riddell that is traced back to the United States Virginian Colony. Today, researchers of Ruddell genealogy trace those early settlers, Joseph Ruddle, back to Gloucestershire, England.

Within the United States and Canada, the Ruddell family name appears to have spread along with westward expansion, as a representative of the Early Settlers of the Mid-Atlantic colonies. After this, there was a ripple effect of settlement, where some Ruddell families moved south, into the Southeastern United States, while others moved to the West Coast and Canada. Today, records indicate that most members of the Ruddell family are spread out across the United States, with clusters of them existing in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern regions.

Variations of the surname Ruddell

Ruddell is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name “Rodel”. Spellings and variants of the surname Ruddell include Ruddl, Ruddel, Ruddle, Rudle, Rudel, Rudl and Rudell.

The Ruddell name was first borne by an Anglo Saxon man living in the northwestern British Isles. In the 9th century AD he adopted the name to distinguish himself from other men of the area who shared the same name. Over time, the spelling of the name changed as it spread throughout England and eventually throughout the world.

The earliest records of the surname Ruddell can be found in 12th century England and Scotland - this early form of the surname was documented in the form of Randallus Rudwell and Randle Ruddel. By the 14th century the spelling of the name had become more consistent with the spelling we see today.

The Ruddell surname can be associated with numerous branches of the same family tree, and has spread to many other countries in recent centuries. This means that there are many variants of the surname to be found outside of the United Kingdom, such as Rudl in Germany, Rudell in Australia, and Rudle in Canada.

Overall, the surname Ruddell is of English origin, and is believed to date back to the 12th century. It has since become a widespread surname, and variants of the name can be found in many countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Ruddell

• Dr. Timothy Ruddell: a professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
• Emily Ruddell: professional cyclist who competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics
• Aaron Ruddell: professional baseball player in the Oakland Athletics organization
• Carrie Ruddell: champion equestrian from Canada
• Bruce Ruddell: former professional tennis player
• David Ruddell: professional sculptor
• Stiv Ruddell: professional rugby league player
• John Ruddell: Producer/Director/Writer from South Africa
• C.T. Ruddell: Broadway producer and former President of the Music Box Theatre
• Joseph Ruddell: inventor, author of the Liberty Wildcat Airplane
• Laurene Ruddell: women's basketball coach in the Big Ten Conference
• Mark Ruddell: professional musician

Other surnames

Rudde