Show ContentsPenrod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Penrod

What does the name Penrod mean?

The Penrod surname is derived from the Middle English word "ruddock," in turn from the Old English "ruddoc," meaning "red;" and it has been suggested that the name was taken on as nickname for "robin rebreast." 1 2

The surname no doubt also came from the place named Penruddock, a small village in the English county of Cumbria.

Early Origins of the Penrod family

The surname Penrod was first found in Bedfordshire where Azor Ruddoch was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. Later, we found Matlilda Ruddoc in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one entry for the family, that of Ralph Ruddoc in Hertfordshire. (Bardlsey)

In later years, some of the family were found further north in Scotland, where it is presumed that the name was "from Old English personal name Rudd + diminutive -ock. Mostly found in Dumfriesshire, John Ruddack was schoolmaster at Hoddam, died in 1744. Hew Roddick, miller, 1688, and five more of the name in the neighborhood (Dumfries)." 3

Early History of the Penrod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Penrod research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1568, 1603, 1604, 1619, 1621, 1655, 1677, 1744, 1799, 1803, 1807 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Penrod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Penrod Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Penruddock, Penruddocke, Penriddick, Penriddock, Penroddock, Penroddocke, Ruddock, Ruddocke, Ruddicke, Ruddick, Riddick, Roddick and many more.

Early Notables of the Penrod family

Distinguished members of the family include Colonel John Penruddock (Penruddocke) (1619-1655), an English Cavalier during the English Civil War and the English Interregnum, remembered as the leader...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Penrod Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Penrod Ranking

In the United States, the name Penrod is the 4,867th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Penrod family to Ireland

Some of the Penrod family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 101 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Penrod migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Penrod Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Penrod, who arrived in America, in 1905
  • John Noble Penrod, aged 53, who arrived in America, in 1908
  • Byrd W Penrod, aged 30, who arrived in America, in 1911
  • Alice Penrod, aged 40, who arrived in America from London, England, in 1913
  • Walter Penrod, aged 19, who arrived in America, in 1918
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Penrod (post 1700) +

  • Robert Penrod (b. 1962), American professional baseball player
  • Steve Penrod, American distinguished professor of psychology
  • Jerry "The Bear" Penrod (b. 1946), American bass player
  • Guy Penrod, American gospel music singer
  • Terry Penrod, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 2008 5
  • Minnie Penrod, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Utah, 1944 5
  • John K. Penrod, American politician, Mayor of Paducah, Kentucky, 1980-84 5
  • Edward Penrod, American politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1938 5


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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