Type Surname (from location)
Usage Anglo-Saxon
Other Forms FormsRugles, Ruggles, Rudgely, Rugelay, Rogyll, Rudgeley, Rudgelie, Rudglie, Rudgley, Ruggeley, Ruggely, Rugley, Ruggley, Ruggelega
Meaning & History
A locational surname whose literal meaning is "woodland clearing on or near a ridge", derived from the Old English hrycg meaning "ridge" and leah, meaning "clearing". First recorded as a surname in Staffordshire, England, but refers to a village in Normandy called Rugles.