Ryder
An occupational surname referring to a mounted warrior or messenger, or one who rides horses.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 16,521 Americans carry the last name Ryder. That puts it at #2,544 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.82 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 20,747 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ryder surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
17K
1 in 20,747
Census rank
#2,544
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
14K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 14,228 bearers of the surname Ryder in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.82 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2544th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ryder, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Black (2.9%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ryder
The surname Ryder is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "ridere," which means "mounted warrior" or "rider." This occupation-based surname was initially given to those who were skilled horsemen, likely employed as messengers or soldiers.
The earliest recorded instances of the Ryder surname can be traced back to the 13th century, with mentions in various historical documents and records. One notable example is the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a "Willelmus le Ridere" in Oxfordshire.
In the 14th century, the Ryder surname appeared in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire, where a "Johannes Ryder" was listed in 1379. This indicates that the surname had become more widespread and established by that time.
The Domesday Book, a valuable historical record compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Ryder surname. However, it does mention several place names that may have influenced the surname's development, such as Ryder's Green in Buckinghamshire and Ryder's Farm in Hertfordshire.
Over the centuries, the Ryder surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Rider, Ryder, Ryder, and Ryder. Some notable individuals with this surname include:
1. Sir Dudley Ryder (1691-1756), an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
2. Albert Pinkham Ryder (1847-1917), an American painter known for his poetic and symbolic works.
3. Winona Ryder (born 1971), an American actress known for her roles in films like "Heathers," "Edward Scissorhands," and "Little Women."
4. John Ryder (1598-1665), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Bishop of Down and Connor.
5. Sir Alfred Ryder (1865-1939), a British businessman and philanthropist who founded the Ryder Cup, a prestigious golf tournament.
While the Ryder surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ryder
Among Census respondents with the surname Ryder, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Black (2.9%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Ryder bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Ryder surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.1%
- Black or African American2.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
- Two or more races1.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ryder surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #2,370 | #2,544 | -7.3% |
| Count | 14,004 | 14,228 | 1.6% |
| Per 100K | 5.19 | 4.82 | -7.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Ryder bearers went from 14,004 to 14,228 (+1.6% change). The surname moved down 174 positions in the national ranking, going from #2,370 to #2,544.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Ryder
FAQ
Ryder surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ryder?
The surname Ryder holds position #2,544 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 16,521 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.82 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ryder surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ryder, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Black (2.9%) and Hispanic (2.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.