Surname Rutland - Meaning and Origin
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Rutland: What does the surname Rutland mean?
The last name Rutland has a number of possible origins, though the exact reason for its origin is not known. It could be derived from Old English roots, signifying "a clearing by a river," as well as referring to a person from Rutland (a former county in England).
The place name of Rutland is itself thought to originate with the Old English word "hrycg," which can mean "ridge," "ridge of land," or "rugged terrain." The term may also be related to Old Norse words "rúmr," meaning "room," and "land," meaning "land." Therefore, the surname Rutland could refer to somebody who lived in or near a hilly area, possibly by a stream.
The surname may also originate from the Old English verbs "rutian," meaning "to rut," or "rote," meaning "to roar." As such, it could serve as a descriptive name for someone who habitually made a loud or rumbling sound.
Rutland is a relatively uncommon surname, particularly in North America. It is thought to have originated in England, primarily in the East Midlands, and is now most commonly found there as well as in neighboring counties.
Order DNA origin analysisRutland: Where does the name Rutland come from?
The last name Rutland is most commonly found in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020, the last name was recorded the most in the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana, followed by Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
In Illinois, an estimated 2,925 Rutlands made the state their home. Meanwhile, 875 lived in Tennessee, and 873 in Indiana. Kentucky hosted 743 families, and Pennsylvania had 710. Ohio welcomed 665 Rutlands into the state.
In addition, ACLI International indicates that other countries with a notable Rutland population are England, Canada, Scotland, and Australia. They attribute the name's origin to the Rutland area in Leicestershire, England. There, the name likely began as a place name, and eventually came to represent the surname of those living there.
Additionally, people with the last name Rutland can also be found in Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Africa. Many people with the name can trace their ancestry back to England, though it is believed that some of the Rutland families living in the U.S. today are descended from colonial settlers who migrated from Scotland, Ireland, and other European countries.
Overall, the last name Rutland is most commonly found in the United States. However, it can also be found in several other countries around the world, including England, Canada, Scotland, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Rutland
Rutland is an English surname of topographic origin, derived from Old English hryþ 'heath, rough land' + land 'land'. The name is found in various forms across England and Scotland, including Routhland, Rutland, and Rytland. It is believed to have originated in the East Midlands of England, particularly in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire.
The distinct variant of Rutland, Routhland, appears to be derived from a local dialectical pronunciation of the name, and is common particularly in Northamptonshire. The Rutland spelling is more commonly found in Leicestershire, while the Rytland spelling appears to be found most commonly in Scotland.
One variant of the Rutland surname is Retlind, derived from Old Norse hreithr 'clearing, field' + land. This variant has been recorded in the parish of Retlind or Rutland in East Kilbride, Scotland, tracing its line back to the 12th century with the first recorded holder of the name being "Walterus de Retlind", recorded in 1296 in the Charter of the Forest of Selkirk.
Other variants of the name include Roothland, Ruttland, Rutlend, Rootland, Rytland, Rothland, and Ruthland. This variety of spellings and variants indicate that the popularity of the name has spread with migration over time.
Famous people with the name Rutland
- Bob Rutland: politician from the United Kingdom representing the Labour Party.
- Ian Rutland: English cricketer from Surrey.
- Kate Rutland: Paralympic equestrian from Great Britain.
- Sir Henry Rutland: British soldier who served during the Boer War.
- William Rutland: British actor who has appeared in films such as The Mummy, Shakespeare in Love, and The Parent Trap.
- Sir Thomas Rutland: British politician and statesman who served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1921 to 1923.
- John Rutland: American actor and director, best known for his work in Law and Order and NCIS.
- Lawrence A. Rutland: United States Army veteran and Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Korean War.
- Adam Rutland: English singer, songwriter, and producer who has released several successful solo albums.
- Jack Rutland: British Olympian, who has competed in sailing in two summer Olympics.