Find out how popular the first name Rutherford has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rutherford by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Rutherford is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rutherford.

The history of the first name Rutherford

The name Rutherford is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English words "hryther" meaning cattle and "ford" meaning a shallow place where a river or stream can be crossed. Thus, the name Rutherford originally referred to a cattle crossing or ford used by herders.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Rutherford can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of lands and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Rodereforde" and "Rodreford" in various entries, referring to locations in Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire.

In the 12th century, the name Rutherford became associated with a Scottish clan and their lands in the Scottish Borders region. The Rutherfords were a powerful border clan known for their involvement in the Anglo-Scottish Wars and their loyalty to the Scottish crown.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Rutherford was Sir Richard Rutherford, who lived in the 13th century and was a prominent member of the Scottish nobility. Another notable figure was Sir William Rutherford, who fought alongside Robert the Bruce in the Scottish Wars of Independence in the early 14th century.

During the Renaissance period, the name Rutherford gained international recognition through the work of Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661), a Scottish Presbyterian theologian and author. His influential works, such as "Lex, Rex" and "The Due Right of Presbyteries," played a significant role in shaping the religious and political landscape of Scotland.

In the field of science, the name Rutherford is closely associated with Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937), a pioneering New Zealand-born physicist who revolutionized our understanding of atomic structure. He is credited with discovering the nucleus of the atom and is often referred to as the "father of nuclear physics."

Other notable individuals with the name Rutherford include Griffith Rutherford (1721-1805), a British astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics, and Joseph Rutherford (1869-1942), a prominent leader of the Bible Student movement, which later became known as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rutherford was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rutherford, please contact us.

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