Find out how popular the last name Rudd is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Rudd.

Rudd, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Rudd surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rudd in America

Rudd is the 2451st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rudd surname appeared 14,732 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Rudd.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rudd to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Rudd

The surname Rudd originates from England and dates back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ruddoc," meaning "red" or "ruddy," referring to someone with a reddish complexion or hair color.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, the earliest recorded mention of the name was as "Rudde," a variant spelling. This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames across England during that era.

Throughout the medieval period, the name appeared in various records and documents with slight variations in spelling, such as Rudde, Rudd, and Rudde. These variations were common before the standardization of English spelling.

The earliest known individual with the surname Rudd was William Rudd, born around 1320 in Northamptonshire, England. He was a landowner and prominent figure in the local community.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Rudd (1460-1525), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1504 and played a significant role in the city's governance.

In the 16th century, the Rudd family established themselves in Suffolk, where they owned estates and held influential positions. One prominent member was Sir Benjamin Rudd (1572-1651), a Member of Parliament and supporter of the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.

During the 17th century, the Rudd family expanded their reach, with some members migrating to Ireland and North America. One such individual was John Rudd (1630-1695), who settled in Virginia and became a successful tobacco planter.

Another notable figure was Samuel Rudd (1693-1770), an English churchman and academic who served as the Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, and was renowned for his scholarship and contributions to education.

Throughout history, the Rudd surname has been associated with various professions, including landowners, merchants, clergymen, and academics, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who bore this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rudd

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Rudd.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rudd was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Rudd has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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