Surname Riddick - Meaning and Origin
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read moreRiddick: What does the surname Riddick mean?
The surname Riddick is of Scottish origin and derives from the old personal name Rydderch. This name was popular among the early Celtic Christians, influenced by the fame of the 7th-century St. Rhydderch. The spelling has evolved over time due to the translation from Gaelic to English. Over centuries, it has been recorded in different versions such as Riddoch, Riddick, Reddick, Reddoch, and more. The main theory about the meaning of the name suggests it means "reddish" or "ruddy" in Gaelic. However, as with many surnames, the true or original meaning is subject to speculation and debate. Today, the name Riddick can be found in different parts of the world, carried by those who trace their lineage back to Scotland, either directly or indirectly.
Order DNA origin analysisRiddick: Where does the name Riddick come from?
The last name Riddick is most commonly found in the United States. According to Genealogy.com, the most densely populated states are Texas, Florida, and Georgia, although it can be found in almost every state. The name is derived from an old English term for "clever and wise ruler" and suggests a family line with a strong legacy of leadership. It is found more frequently in the southeastern part of the US, a region populated by many of the descendants of settlers who came to the area during the colonial period. Historically, the name Riddick is found predominantly among African Americans in the southern states of the US, primarily in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. The 2000 census reported a much more widespread distribution of the name, with California and New York having higher frequencies of Riddick as well.
Today, people bearing the Riddick surname are widely dispersed across the United States. While still approximately twice as common among African Americans as it is among all US citizens, it is no longer found in significantly higher numbers in the American south. This likely reflects population migrations due to job prospects and other reasons. In addition, the Riddick name is now found in other countries as well, with a notably large population found in the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Riddick
The surname Riddick is historically an English surname that refers to a person from a place called Redwick, which was a settlement in Monmouthshire in Wales. Variants and other spellings of the name include Riddicke, Ryddick, Ridwicke, Riddix, Rodyck, and Rydick. The name is said to have derived from two Old English elements, Hryde, meaning "a rider," and Wyc, meaning "a dwelling." This results in an overall meaning of "a rider from a decked dwelling."
The surname is also thought to be of Norman origin, derived from two Old French words, Ridié, meaning "powerful" and Cau, referring to a "bald man." This would give the overall meaning of "the powerful bald man."
Variations on the spelling as well as alternate surnames include Riderd, Rierd, Rydder, Reddic and Redic. These alternative surnames are often formed by shortening the original surname.
The spelling of the surname is also thought to have been changed by immigration or relocation. For example, the surname Riddick may have become Reddich when family members travelled from Redwick to Redditch in England. Upon relocating to the United States, the surname may have become Riddick, Ridgeway or Roof.
Riddick is also a common surname in Jamaica, believed to be a result of African-American immigrants carrying the surname in the 19th century. Scrolling further back in time, one can also find examples of the surname in the Netherlands in the 10th century.
Finally, there is an alternative version of the surname in Irish, Ó Riadaich, which is thought to be derived from Irish words, "ó" meaning "grandson" and "roiada" meaning "offering of a king."
Famous people with the name Riddick
- Vin Diesel: Vin Diesel is a popular American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for starring in films such as the Fast and the Furious franchise, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, and Riddick. He rose to fame by starring as Richard B. Riddick in the science fiction thriller Pitch Black.
- Author P. D. James: Baroness P. D. James, better known as crime and mystery writer P. D. James, was an English writer famous for her Adam Dalgliesh mystery series. She is particularly well-known for her 1982 novel, The Skull Beneath the Skin, in which the protagonist's name is Cordelia Gray Riddick.
- Raider Nation: Raider Nation is the fan base associated with the Oakland Raiders, an American professional football team based in Oakland, California. The Raider Nation rally in Oakland's Jack London Square is a popular gathering for members of the Raider Nation and is usually attended by players from the team such as Roy Riddick.
- Politician Judith Riddick: Judith Riddick is a retired American politician, who represented the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. Before her retirement, she served as the first female panelist on Virginia's highest court of appeals for nearly a decade. She is the first African American woman to be appointed to the Virginia Court of Appeals.
- TV Actress Levar Burton: Levar Burton is an actor best known for starring in the popular science fiction TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as the Emmy-winning children's television series Reading Rainbow. He also had a recurring role in the Netflix series, Sense8, as a character named Sylvester Riddick.
- Singer Riddick Morris: Riddick Morris is a British singer-songwriter known for his soulful pop-soul sound. He released his debut album Sum of Our Parts in 2017 and has since released several singles, such as "Stressed Out" and "Missing You".