Surname Ruggles - Meaning and Origin
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Ruggles: What does the surname Ruggles mean?
The last name Ruggles is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word 'rugel', meaning a fenced enclosure. It was a toponymic surname, referring to an individual who originally lived near or in a fenced enclosure. The name is found mainly in Southern England, but it can be found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States.
The name could have been given to someone who lived near an area set aside as a graveyard, an Earthly enclosure to commemorate the resting place of a great man or individual, or some other kind of enclosed land. In the Middle English period, it was also used to refer to some type of fortification.
Aside from being a toponymic surname, the last name Ruggles has also been associated with other aspects of life, such as trade, craftsmanship, and physical strength. For example, when it was used as a first name, throughout the 19th century, it was associated with a strong, dependable, and capable individual who could work hard and perform well.
In recent history, the name Ruggles has become the name of numerous cities, streets, and other locations around the world. This could act as an indication of its ongoing relevance and its rich and interesting history.
Order DNA origin analysisRuggles: Where does the name Ruggles come from?
The last name Ruggles is an English surname with some historical significance. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English rugel, meaning ‘red,’ which can still be seen in a number of towns throughout England which bear the name.
Today, the surname Ruggles is most commonly found in the United States. It is estimated that there are between 11,000 and 14,000 people living in America with the name, with the majority of these people located in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Michigan. Ruggles is one of the fifty most common surnames in Boston, and is also a very popular name in the states of Connecticut and Vermont.
The surname is also found in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, though in much smaller numbers than in the United States.
Overall, the last name Ruggles appears to be mainly an American name today, although it is still found in other parts of the world. It is a surname with centuries-old roots, yet its popularity in the present day appears to be largely centered in the United States.
Variations of the surname Ruggles
Ruggles is a surname derived from a place-name. It derives from a habitational name coming from any of several places in England most notably Rugeley in Staffordshire; Rudgleigh, Devon; or Rugley, Chesire. It is also a variant of the name "Rugel" which is an Ashkenazi Jewish origin derived from the German name "Rudolf".
Variants of the surnames Ruggles include Rogles, Ruggel, Rugel, Rugles, Ruggle, Rugoly, Rugolie, Rugoley and Rugol. These spellings are often derived from various countries such as England, Russia, and Germany as well as other countries of origin.
Surnames that are similar in origin to the Ruggles surname include Ruiz, Riggs, Rigel, Rieger, Ritcher, Ritz, Risch, and Ryker.
Ruggles is an old English surname which was popular in the early periods of migration in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In the United States, the Ruggles family can be traced through records dating back to the early 1600s in New England. It also appears in records for Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York, indicating a pre-Revolutionary War presence in these colonies.
The Ruggles surname is still in widespread use around the world today, as it still has a large presence in the United States and a significant diaspora population in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Ruggles
- Chris Ruggles: a two-time Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
- Russell Ruggles: a professional wrestler who won the NWA World Tag Team Championship with his brother.
- Richard Ruggles: a professional ice hockey player and Olympic gold medalist who played for the United States in the 1984 Winter Olympic Games.
- Dudley Ruggles: an American landscape painter and muralist who was a member of the Hudson River School of painters.
- Brad Ruggles: an American football player who played cornerback in the National Football League.
- David Ruggles: an African-American abolitionist and prominent civil rights leader of the 19th century.
- Franny Ruggles: an American abstract expressionist painter known for her paintings of the mid-20th century.
- Elizabeth Ruggles: an American philanthropist who founded the Elizabeth Ruggles Home for Women in 1889.
- Stephen Ruggles: an American actor who starred in the hit TV series “Gossip Girl” and other movies and TV series.
- Thomas Ruggles: an American Revolutionary War hero and statesman who served as a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence.