| ![Show Contents]() Ritland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of RitlandWhat does the name Ritland mean? Ritland is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Ritland family lived in a number of locations bearing the name Rutland in the counties of Derbyshire, Cornwall, Surrey, and Cumberland, as well as the county of Rutland itself. Ritland 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. Early Origins of the Ritland familyThe surname Ritland was first found in Surrey where the family was anciently seated as Lords of the Manor of Mitcham in Surrey. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey initiated by Duke William of Normandy in 1086 after his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066 A.D., Mitcham was recorded as being held by the Canons of Bayeux who held it from the Bishop of Bayeux. The village of Mitcham consisted of one half a mill, a rating not uncommon, and was anciently famous for being the scene of lavender fields. One of the first records of the family was Hugh or Rutland or Hue de Rotelande (fl. 1185), an Anglo-Norman poet. 2 Early History of the Ritland familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ritland research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1782 is included under the topic Early Ritland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ritland Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Ritland are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Ritland include Rutland, Ritland, Rotland, Rutlane, Ratland, Ruttland, Rutlland, Roushland and many more. Early Notables of the Ritland familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ritland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ritland familyFaced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Ritland, or a variant listed above: Richard Rutland who settled in Virginia in 1641; Edward Rutland settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1765; Agnes Rutland settled in New York State in 1823..
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: Post praeilia praemia
Motto Translation: Reward after battle.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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