Show ContentsRud History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Rud

What does the name Rud mean?

The surname Rud is derived from the Old English root "rud-," a component in the words "rudig," which means "ruddy," and "ruddoc," which means "red-breast." The surname was originally a nickname for a ruddy complexioned or red-haired person, or perhaps for someone who habitually wore the color red. The surname Rud may also be a local name derived from residence "at the rood;" that is, residence near a crossroads.

Early Origins of the Rud family

The surname Rud was first found in Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin), located in Southwest Wales, one of thirteen historic counties and presently one of the principal area in Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times; some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Rud family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rud research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1674, 1757 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Rud History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rud Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Rud has seen various spelling variations: Rudd, Wrudd, Rutt, Rud, Rut, Roud, Routt, Ruttle and others.

Early Notables of the Rud family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

  • Thomas Ruddiman (1674-1757), Scottish philologist, born in the parish of Boyndie, Banffshire, was son of James Ruddiman, tenant of the farm of Raggel, a strong Royalist1...

Migration of the Rud family to Ireland

Some of the Rud family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Rud migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Rud

Rud Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Rud, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Rud (post 1700) +

  • Erik Rud Brandt (1943-2023), Danish fashion designer who had branches in Scandinavia, Switzerland, Canada, United States, Japan, and Australia


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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