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Riddle History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Riddle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Belgium
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Riddle reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Riddle family lived in Yorkshire at Ryedale or in Westmorland at Rydal with Loughrigg. The name Riddell and its variants occur in both locations. Riddle is 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 family is "descended from the ancient Counts of Angouleme, who claim to have received their fief from Charles the Bald in 866. The surname was first assumed about 1048 by Galfrid or Geoffrey, the second son of Count Galfrid,who had for his inheritance the barony of Blaye in Guienne, and married the heiress of Perigord." 1

Early Origins of the Riddle family

The surname Riddle was first found in Aquitaine where this baronial name was derived from a Gothic race. It was here that the Baron of Blaye (c. 1030) granted lands to the Abbey of Fons Dulcis near Bordeaux. This grant was confirmed by Gerald de Blavia and one of his sons Geoffre Rudelli (Ridel.) The latter lived 1079-1099 and left for Scotland during the time of King David I. Upon his arrival, he received grants of lands. He was the ancestor of the Riddells, Baronets. 2

"Almost all the versions of the Battle Abbey Roll include the name of Ridel. By reference to the first volume of "Pipe Rolls," edited by Mr. Stapleton, it will be seen at p. 119, that Geoffrey Ridel rendered account for himself and for Geoffrey de St. Denis of forty shillings for two copes. It was by this tenure that the fief of Blosseville in the pays de Caux, was held, which gave to the possessor in later times the title of Vicomte hereditaire, Chatelain et Seigneur Haut Justicier de Blosseville. This entry proves that the Ridels originally existed in Normandy. The first of the race, explicitly proved to have been settled in Scotland, is Gervasius Ridel, the earliest High Sheriff of Rosburghshire. The Norman Ridel was ancestor also of the eminent Northumbrian House of Riddell of Fenham and Swinburne Castle." 3

Stephen Ridell was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1186 and years later Stephen Riddel was Lord Chancellor of Ireland (c. 1313-1318). A member of the family of Picard changed his name to Ruddle, at the instance of King Edward IV., to denote his birthplace. 2

"Hugh de Ridel was one of the hostages given to Henry II. for William the Lion, King of Scots, having acquired through his wife, Margaret de St. Medard, the manor of Cranston in Scotland, which was lost in the subsequent Scottish wars, and Withering in Northamptonshire, held for three hundred years and upwards by his descendants." 1

In Scotland, "the Ridels never prefixed de, and the de Rydales invariably did so because they came from a place so-called. The first Ridel of Craneston was probably Gervasius Ridel who appears as a witness in the Inquisttio of Earl David as to the extent of the lands of the church of Glasgow, c. 1124, and was most probably a descendant of the Galfridus Ridel de Blaye of 1048. At this day the name is a strictly personal one in Normandy. Gervasius also appears as a witness to charters in the reigns of Alxander I and David I. The first of the Riddells of that Ilk was Walter de Ridale or Riddale who received a charter from King David, c. 1150, of the lands of Whitimes (an error for Whittune), Eschetho I to which he transferred the name of his Yorkshire property, and Lilislive (now Lilliesleaf). He also appears as a witness in many charters in the cartularies of Dryburgh, Holyrood, Glasgow, Newbattle, Cambuskenneth, Dunfermline, etc. He died without issue, c. 1155, and left his property to his brother Anschetil or Ansketil de Riddel by a will which was confirmed by Pope Adrian IV." 4

Early History of the Riddle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Riddle research. Another 224 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1030, 1106, 1124, 1577, 1582, 1590, 1595, 1601, 1602, 1604, 1616, 1632, 1652, 1663, 1664, 1669, 1674, 1700, 1747 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Riddle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riddle Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Riddle include Riddell, Riddle, Riddall, Riddells, Ridel and others.

Early Notables of the Riddle family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Riddell, 1st Baronet (d. 1632); Sir Walter Riddell, 2nd Baronet (d. c. 1669); Sir John Riddell, 3rd Baronet (d...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Riddle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riddle Ranking

In the United States, the name Riddle is the 871^st most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Riddle family to Ireland

Some of the Riddle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Riddle migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Riddles to arrive on North American shores:

Riddle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Eliz Riddle, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 6
Thomas Riddle, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 6
Robert Riddle, who arrived in New England in 1718 6
Hugh Riddle, who arrived in New England in 1718 6
Margaret Riddle, who arrived in Virginia in 1722 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Riddle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Johan Riddle, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 6
Christopher Riddle, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812 6
Samuel Riddle, who landed in Norfolk, Va in 1817 6
Charles Riddle, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 6
Maxwell Riddle, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1839 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Riddle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Riddle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Riddle, who was recorded in Nova Scotia in 1750

Riddle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Riddle, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Isabella Riddle, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Walter Riddle, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
William Riddle, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834

Riddle migration to Australia +

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

Riddle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Riddle, a baker, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. John Riddle, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 24th March 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. William Riddle, (b. 1822), aged 21, English labourer who was convicted in Salford, Greater Manchester, England for 10 years for theft transported aboard the "Forfarshire" on 24th June 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1901 8
Thomas Riddle, English convict from Nottingham, who was transported aboard the "Agincourt" on July 6, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 9
Mr. James Riddle, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 30th June 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Riddle 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:

Riddle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Riddle, aged 27, a farm servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 11
Mr. James Riddle, Scottish ploughman from Glasgow travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 11
Mrs. Mary Riddle, Scottish settler from Glasgow travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 11
Miss Ann Riddle, Scottish settler from Glasgow travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 11
Mr. George Riddle, Scottish settler travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Riddle (post 1700) +

Nelson Riddle (1921-1985), American band leader and arranger, best known for his work for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and many more
Robert M. Riddle (1812-1858), American politician, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1853 to 1854
Oscar Riddle (1877-1968), American biologist
Haywood Yancey Riddle (1834-1879), American politician and University professor, member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee
George Read Riddle (1817-1867), American engineer lawyer and politician, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Delaware
Theodate Pope Riddle (1867-1946), American architect
Johnny Riddle (1905-1998), American baseball player
Jeff C. Riddle (1863-1941), American Indian historian of the Modoc War
Almeda Riddle (1898-1986), American folk singer
Robert H. Riddle, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 11 aerial victories
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Riddle family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Albert Riddle, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 12

HMS Repulse

Mr. Howard George Aubrey Riddle, British Blacksmith 3rd Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 13

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
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)
"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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/forfarshire
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Agincourt voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1844 with 226 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agincourt/1844
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html