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

Ruddell, 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 Ruddell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ruddell in America

Ruddell is the 19567th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ruddell surname appeared 1,379 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ruddell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ruddell 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 Ruddell

The surname Ruddell has its roots in the medieval English language and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "ruddul," which means "red" or "ruddy complexion." This suggests that the name may have been given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a reddish complexion or hair color.

The earliest recorded instances of the Ruddell surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by King William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Ruddel," "Rudel," and "Ruddle," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling common during that era.

One of the earliest known individuals with the Ruddell surname was John Ruddell, who was born in 1445 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local council. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Ruddell (1530-1592), who was a wealthy merchant and politician during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Ruddell surname is also closely tied to several place names in England. For example, the village of Ruddell in Shropshire is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "rudu" (red) and "hyll" (hill), possibly referring to the reddish soil or vegetation found in the area. Similarly, the hamlet of Ruddle in Somerset may have taken its name from the Ruddell family who lived there.

Throughout history, the Ruddell surname has been associated with various professions and social classes. In the 16th and 17th centuries, several Ruddells were prominent clergymen, such as Richard Ruddell (1564-1643), who served as the Bishop of St. Davids in Wales.

Another notable figure was Sir Benjamin Ruddell (1672-1738), a successful merchant and philanthropist who donated significant funds towards the construction of schools and hospitals in London. His generosity earned him a knighthood from King George II.

Fast forward to the 19th century, and we find John Ruddell (1814-1887), an influential industrialist and engineer who played a pivotal role in the development of the steam engine and the expansion of the railway network in Britain.

Over the centuries, the Ruddell surname has been carried across the globe by descendants of the original English families. Today, it can be found in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, reflecting the rich history and migration patterns of those bearing this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ruddell

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

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 Ruddell 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 Ruddell 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 Ruddell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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