Rude History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Rude is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived near a ridge. Also, some examples of the name are of nickname derivation. This makes Rude a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently. The local variant of the surname is derived from the Old English word hrycg, which means ridge. In Old English, thish word became rugge, regge, and rigge in various dialects of the language. The surname Rude is derived from the rugge variant of the word. The nickname variant is derived from the Anglo French word rugge (rouge in Modern French) which means red, and would have been the nickname of someone with brilliant red hair.

Early Origins of the Rude family

The surname Rude was first found in Shropshire at Rudge, a township, in the parish of Pattingham. "The surname is doubtless derived from a township in Shropshire so called. " 1 The place name was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Rigge 2 and was derived from the Old English word "hrycg" which means "place at the ridge." 3 There are few other places named Rudge in Britain, specifically in the counties Devon, Wiltshire and Somerset and all are very small locals and have remained small through the centuries. An early member of the family was John de Rugge, of Seysdon, Staffordshire who was living, 17 Edward II.

Early History of the Rude family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rude research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1320 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Rude History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rude Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Rude has been spelled many different ways, including Rudge, Ruidge, Roidge, Rutdge, Rutge, Rudych, Rutch, Rutche, Ruitge and many more.

Early Notables of the Rude family

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

Rude Ranking

In the United States, the name Rude is the 8,248^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Rude migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Rudes to arrive in North America:

Rude Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Rude, who arrived in Maryland or Virginia in 1665 5

Rude Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Barbara Rude, aged 13, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 5
Doras Rude, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 5
Elisabeth Rude, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 5
Friederick Rude, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 5
Fritz Rude, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rude (post 1700) +

Steve Rude (b. 1956), American director and writer
Charlie Rude, American film photographer, known for his work on A Hunter's Tale (2012), Gentlemen Callers and Criminal
Geoffrey Rude, American editor, known for his work on Morocco (2013), Umrika (2015) and Bridge of Spies (2015)
Melissa Rude, American actress, known for I Become Gilgamesh (2011), Skateland (2010) and Searching for Sonny
Dick Rude (b. 1964), American director, actor and writer, known for his work in Straight to Hell (1986), Repo Man (1984) and Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Videos (2003)
Abstract Rude, stage name of Aaron Pointer, an American rapper from Los Angeles, California
Rick Rude (1958-1999), ring name of Richard Erwin "Rick" Rood, an American professional wrestler
François Rude (1784-1855), French sculptor

The Rude 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: In cruce fides
Motto Translation: Faith in the cross.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)