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

Ruddick, 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 Ruddick surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ruddick in America

Ruddick is the 20601st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ruddick surname appeared 1,286 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 Ruddick.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ruddick 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 Ruddick

The surname Ruddick has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to be a variation of the name Ruddock, derived from the Old English word "rudduc," meaning "robin" or "redbreast." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname for someone with a ruddy or reddish complexion.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable mention is in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John Ruddok is listed. Additionally, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279, indicating its widespread use during that time.

In terms of geographical distribution, the name Ruddick was prevalent in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk, where variations like Ruddock and Rudduck were also common. Some early records suggest a connection with the village of Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, although the relationship between the place name and the surname is not entirely clear.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir Benjamin Ruddick, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the development of trade relations between England and the Netherlands.

Another notable individual was William Ruddick (1620-1688), an English clergyman and author who served as a chaplain to King Charles II. His works, including a treatise on the Book of Revelation, were widely read and influential in their time.

In the 18th century, John Ruddick (1726-1798) was a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the original Somerset House. His innovative use of classical architectural styles left a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

Moving into the 19th century, Mary Ruddick (1832-1903) was a prominent social reformer and advocate for women's rights. She campaigned tirelessly for better working conditions and educational opportunities for women, making significant contributions to the early feminist movement in Britain.

Lastly, James Ruddick (1871-1944) was a Scottish engineer and inventor, best known for his pioneering work in the development of early aviation technology. His innovative designs for aircraft engines and propellers paved the way for significant advancements in the field of aeronautics.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Ruddick throughout history, illustrating the widespread influence and contributions of those sharing this name across various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ruddick

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

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

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

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