Show ContentsRideau History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Rideau family

The surname Rideau was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1324 when William de Redihalgh held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Rideau family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rideau research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Rideau History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rideau Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ridealgh, Redihalgh, Redheugh, Reddihough, Readyhough, Reddyhoff, Riddihough, Riddihough, Reddihalg, Redhough, Ridhough, Ridehalgh, Redihough, Redenough, Ridehalgh, Riddeough and many more.

Early Notables of the Rideau family

More information is included under the topic Early Rideau Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rideau Ranking

In France, the name Rideau is the 4,593rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Rideau family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.


Contemporary Notables of the name Rideau (post 1700) +

  • Wilbert Rideau (b. 1942), American convicted killer and former death row inmate in Louisiana who became an author and award-winning prison journalist, "the most rehabilitated prisoner in America" according to Life magazine in 1993
  • Brandon Rideau (b. 1982), American former football wide receiver, member of the Toronto Argonauts (2010-2011) and Chicago Bears (2006-2008)


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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