Show ContentsRug History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Rug

What does the name Rug mean?

The name Rug is rooted in the ancient Norman culture that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was a name for someone who was a person associated with the color red, whether through hair color, clothing, or complexion. Accordingly, the name is derived from the Old French word ruge, meaning red.

Early Origins of the Rug family

The surname Rug was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Felmingham. This ancient manor dates back to the Domesday Book, 1 a survey of England taken in 1086 by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066 A.D. In the survey, the village, which also included a Mill and Church, was held from the King by Ashford, Roger Bigod, and the Abbot of Holme. Conjecturally the family name Rugg is descended from one of these Norman nobles, although which one is uncertain.

Early History of the Rug family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rug research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1410, 1536, 1549, 1550, 1572, 1573, 1576, 1581, 1610, 1657 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Rug History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rug Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Rugg, Rug, Rugge and others.

Early Notables of the Rug family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Robert Rigge, Rygge or Rugge (died 1410), English Chancellor of the University of Oxford, a native of Devonshire, and possibly a relative of Thomas de Bitton, bishop of Exeter
  • William Rugg (died 1550), was an English Benedictine theologian, and Bishop of Norwich from 1536 to 1549. Descended from an old Shropshire family, who were large landholders in that county as far back...
  • Thomas Rugge (died 1672), was an English diarist, a descendant of John Rugge, who was created Archdeacon of Wells in place of John Cotterell in 1572. His father was noted for his knowledge of civil la...

Migration of the Rug family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Rug or a variant listed above: Benjamin Rugg who settled in Virginia in 1643; followed by Honnor Rugg in 1670; John and Richard Rugg also settled in Virginia in 1670; M. Rugg settled in San Francisco Cal. in 1852..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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