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![Show Contents]() Rudgeley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Rudgeley is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rudgeley family lived in Staffordshire. Their name, however, is a reference to Rugles, a village in the department of Eure, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name Ruggles is of the same derivation and shares its coat of arms with the Rudgely family. Early Origins of the Rudgeley familyThe surname Rudgeley was first found in Staffordshire at Rugeley, a historic market town and parish that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Rugelie 1 and literally meant "woodland clearing on or near a ridge" having derived from the Old English "hrycg" + "leah." 2 At that time, the lands were shown to be the King's lands and consisted of a mill and a village. Over the years the town has also been historically known as Rudgeley or Ridgeley. The manor of Rugeley was granted by Henry VIII to William, first Lord Paget, ancestor of the Marquess of Anglesey, the present lord of the manor. 3 Early History of the Rudgeley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rudgeley research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1413, 1449, 1637 and 1655 are included under the topic Early Rudgeley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Rudgeley Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Rudgeley has been recorded under many different variations, including Rugeley, Rudgely, Rugelay, Rogyll, Rudgeley, Rudgelie, Rudglie, Rudgley, Ruggeley, Ruggely, Rugley, Ruggley and many more. Early Notables of the Rudgeley familyMore information is included under the topic Early Rudgeley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Rudgeley familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Rudgeleys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: George Rudglie who settled in Barbados in 1635.
- 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)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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