Show ContentsRutherford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rutherford comes from the proud Boernician clans of the Scottish-English border region. The Rutherford family lived in the Parish of Maxton, where Rutherford was a town, near Roxburghshire. The place name Rutherford is derived from the Old English words "hryder" meaning "cattle" and "ford," which is "a shallow part of a river."

Early Origins of the Rutherford family

The surname Rutherford was first found in the Parish of Maxton, town of Rutherford, county Roxburghshire. The first bearers of Rutherford on record were two knights: Gregory and Nicholas de Rutherford.

Early History of the Rutherford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rutherford research. Another 267 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1215, 1249, 1285, 1296, 1361, 1411, 1413, 1448, 1451, 1493, 1506, 1552, 1577, 1580, 1582, 1600, 1661, 1664, 1695, 1779 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Rutherford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rutherford Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rutherford, Rutterford, Rudderford, Rudford and others.

Early Notables of the Rutherford family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661), Scottish principal of St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, born about 1600 in the parish of Nisbet, now part of Crailing, Roxburghshire. [1]
  • Andrew Rutherford (d. 1664), was a Scottish soldier of fortune, created 1st and only Earl of Teviot by Charles II; and Samuel Rutherford (ca. 1600-1661), a Scottish theologian and controversialist, bo...
  • John Rutherford (died 1577) was a Scottish divine, born at Jedburgh. He accompanied his teacher and George Buchanan (1506-1582) in their expedition to the new university of Coimbra, and thence in 1552...
  • John Rutherford (1695-1779), was a Scottish physician, son of John Rutherford, minister of Yarrow, Selkirkshire. He was responsible for the clinical teaching of medicine in the University of Edinburgh...

Rutherford World Ranking

In the United States, the name Rutherford is the 1,095th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. [2] However, in Australia, the name Rutherford is ranked the 904th most popular surname with an estimated 4,355 people with that name. [3] And in New Zealand, the name Rutherford is the 429th popular surname with an estimated 1,553 people with that name. [4] The United Kingdom ranks Rutherford as 661st with 9,929 people. [5]

Ireland Migration of the Rutherford family to Ireland

Some of the Rutherford family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Rutherford migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rutherford Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Rutherford, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 [6]
  • Henry Rutherford, who arrived in Connecticut in 1641 [6]
  • Gaven Rutherford, who landed in Maryland in 1670 [6]
  • Grace Rutherford, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1682 [6]
  • Dennis Rutherford, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682
Rutherford Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James and George Rutherford, who settled in Virginia in 1716
  • Robert Rutherford, who landed in New England in 1735 [6]
  • Joseph Rutherford, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 [6]
  • Anne Rutherford, who settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1766
  • Charles Rutherford, who settled in Boston in 1774
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rutherford Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Sarah Rutherford, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 [6]
  • Adam Rutherford, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 [6]
  • Edward Rutherford, who arrived in New York in 1820 [6]
  • Archibald Rutherford, who landed in New York in 1831 [6]
  • Thomas S Rutherford, aged 31, who landed in Missouri in 1844 [6]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Rutherford migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rutherford Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Henry Rutherford U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [7]
Rutherford Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Rutherford, aged 25, a wheelwright, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Dorothy" in 1815
  • David Rutherford, who settled in Ontario in 1818
  • Alexander Rutherford, who settled in Quebec in 1823
  • John Rutherford, aged 59, a carpenter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • Mary Rutherford, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland

Australia Rutherford migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Rutherford Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. David Rutherford, British Convict who was convicted in Gibralter for life , transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [8]
  • Mr. James Rutherford, Scottish convict who was convicted in Dumfries, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [9]
  • Mr. William Rutherford, English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 27 September 1834, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [10]
  • Miss Ann Rutherford, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 11th February 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [11]
  • Mr. James Rutherford, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the ""Blenheim"" on 24th July 1850, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island, Australia [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Rutherford migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rutherford Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Rutherford, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nelson" arriving in Wellington, North Island, New Zealand on 24th September 1842 [13]
  • Mr. Rutherford, American settler travelling from San Francisco aboard the ship "Helen S. Page" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 10th October 1850 [13]
  • Mr. John Rutherford, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Excelsior" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 17th March 1859 [13]
  • Mr. Arch. Rutherford, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship "Tornado" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th September 1859 [14]
  • William Rutherford, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jura" in 1861 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rutherford (post 1700) +

  • Daniel Rutherford (1749-1819), Scottish chemist and physician who discovered nitrogen, born at Edinburgh, son of Dr. John Rutherford (1695–1779)
  • Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869-1942), also known as Judge Rutherford, an American religious leader and the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
  • Major-General Harry Kenneth Rutherford (1883-1964), American Attached to Office of the Chief of Ordnance (1942-1943) [15]
  • Ann Rutherford (1917-2012), born Therese Ann Rutherford, Canadian-born, American actress in film, radio, and television, best known for her role as Scarlett O'Hara's youngest sister in Gone With the Wind and who starred in the Andy Hardy movies
  • Johnny Sherman Rutherford III (b. 1938), American former race car driver inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1996
  • F. S. Rutherford, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1860 [16]
  • Elwood Rutherford, American politician, Mayor of Banning, California, 1957-59 [16]
  • Dan Rutherford (b. 1955), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 2004, 2008 [16]
  • C. H. Rutherford, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Cabell County, 1942 [16]
  • Bert C. Rutherford, American Republican politician, Member of Alaska territorial House of Representatives 3rd District, 1953-54 [16]
  • ... (Another 47 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Frederick Rutherford (1869-1914), Canadian First Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [17]
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Edward Rutherford, British Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking [18]
HMS Royal Oak
  • John Joseph Rutherford (d. 1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [19]


The Rutherford Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nec sorte, nec fato
Motto Translation: Neither by chance nor destiny.


Suggested Readings for the name Rutherford +

  • Genealogical History of our Ancestors by William Kenneth Rutherford.
  • Rutherford Gleanings by William A. Yates.

  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. 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)
  7. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth-and-henry
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Harry Rutherford. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Rutherford/Harry_Kenneth/USA.html
  16. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  17. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  18. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  19. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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