Surname Rutledge - Meaning and Origin
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Revealing the Rutledge Lineage: A Journey Into My Ancestry Via iGENEA DNA Test
Discovering the origins and journey of my ancestral line, the Rutledges, through a DNA test at iGENEA was not only an enlightening and exciting adventure, but it also brought forth unexpected revelations which have had a deep impact on my self-understanding.
B. Rutledge
read moreRutledge: What does the surname Rutledge mean?
The surname Rutledge is of English origin and is derived from a place-name. It arises from two Old English words - "hryther," which means 'cattle' and "hyd," which means 'hide or a certain measure of land area'. So, 'Rutledge' essentially means 'a small parcel of land where cattle are kept'. The place referred to in this name is believed to be Ryedale in North Yorkshire, England, which was recorded as 'Ruthale' in the Domesday Book, a survey of England completed in 1086. The first recorded spelling of the family name, dated in the mid 12th century, is shown to be that of William de Ruhale. The name is now quite rare in England but relatively common in the United States. Over centuries, the name could have transformed into various forms like Rutlish, Rutley, or Rutland before turning into its modern form Rutledge. It may be found in many combinations, reflecting different branches of the same original family. The Rutledge family has a recorded family crest and coat of arms.
Order DNA origin analysisRutledge: Where does the name Rutledge come from?
The last name Rutledge is commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom. Within the US, Rutledge residents are most frequently found in the southeastern states, particularly in and around South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. In the United Kingdom, Rutledge is primarily located in Cornwall, Wales, and Devon.
It is theorized that the Rutledge name originated in the British Isles during the Middle Ages and made its way to the American colonies with migrating settlers. Immigrant ancestor Thomas Rutledge, who sailed from London with multiple other Rutledges in 1679, is believed to be the ancestor of many modern Rutledges.
The Rutledge legacy is particularly strong in South Carolina, where prominent Rutledge families impacted politics, religion, and business. The Rutledge family is one of the most prominent families in South Carolina; several state gravesites, roadways, marshes, and even a bridge were named after a Rutledge.
Today, the last name Rutledge is equally as prominent in the UK as it is in the United States, where it remains a popular surname in many parts of both countries.
Variations of the surname Rutledge
The surname Rutledge traces back to England, where it has been used since as early as the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English words "hryðe" and "leah", translating to mean "clearing in the woodland". It is also an Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname Riagail. Over time, the surname has been adapted and changed into a variety of spellings, including but not limited to Rutledge, Rutlidge, Rutladge, Rutlaige, Rutlegge, Rutligge, Rutlidge, Ruttledg, Ruttledge, Ruttlidge, Rutlynn, Rutlenn, Ruttlen, Ruttlenn, Rutherford, and Rutheford.
The Rutledge spelling is the most common, but it is also rendered with variant spellings. Some of these noteworthy examples include: Rutlidge, Rutladge, and Rutlaige. These names are all simplistic variants of Rutledge, which simply uses a different form of spelling the name.
The Rutherford surname also has its roots in the Rutledge family name, likely deriving from the Anglicised variant of the Gaelic Riagail. Rutherford can generally be used in place of Rutledge and, likewise, Rutledge can be used in place of Rutherford.
The surname is also known to be used as a given name in instances where it can be a unique, meaningful name. This has granted the name some additional usage beyond the scope of being a solely surnames.
In any case, no matter the spelling, the surname Rutledge itself has been historically linked to nobility, and its various versions are all undeniably connected.
Famous people with the name Rutledge
- Peter Rutledge: Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
- Ellen M. Rutledge: English-American novelist
- Katharine Rutledge: American television journalist
- Edward Rutledge: Founding Father of the United States
- John Rutledge: lawyer, politician and drafter of the Constitution
- James Rutledge: Irish-American doctor and historical author
- Arthur Rutledge: Australian rugby league player
- Pee Wee Rutledge: American professional baseball player
- Gordon Rutledge: Canadian ice hockey player
- Freddy Rutledge: American actor and stuntman
- Duke Rutledge: American singer, songwriter and musician
- J.D. Rutledge: American racecar driver
- Roger Refkin-Rutledge: American lacrosse player
- Lord Rutledge: English actor and comedian
- Liz Rutledge: American journalist and television host
- Gordon Rutledge Jr: Canadian ice hockey player
- Adam Rutledge: Australian rugby league player
- Jeannie Rutledge: Australian Paralympic swimmer
- Tim Rutledge: American former professional tennis player
- Olive K. Rutledge: American writer and magazine editor