Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Rottscheit GermanModernization of Rotscheidt, also a city in Germany (Rottscheidt) bearing another modern alternate spelling. When broken down it ultimately means "red" and "piece of wood", implying that the families of today descends from woodwrokers.
Rouen FrenchFrom the other broad category of surnames that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. ... Ruen is a place-name from in Rouen, the capital of Normandy... [
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Rouge FrenchNickname for someone with a ruddy complexion.
Rougeau FrenchDiminutive of
Rouge, a nickname for someone with a ruddy complexion.
Rouget FrenchDerived from the French adjective
rouge meaning "red" combined with the French masculine diminutive suffix
-et.
Rough EnglishA topographic name referring to a dwelling with uncultivated ground, ultimately deriving from Olde English ruh meaning "rough".
Rouhani PersianMeans "cleric, clergyman" or "clean, pure, good" in Persian.
Rõuk EstonianRõuk is an Estonian surname derived from the word "rõuk", a type of traditional stack made for the collection and drying of hay, cereals, or straw, often made with a wooden frame.
Rouse Englishnickname for a person with red hair, from Middle English, Old French rous ‘red(-haired)’
Roussos GreekOriginally a nickname for a red-haired or blond person, derived from Greek ρούσος
(roúsos) "red".
Routh EnglishFrom the village and civil parish of
Routh in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England (recorded in the Domesday book as
Rutha). The place name may derive from Old Norse
hrúedhr meaning "rough shaly ground"... [
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Röver GermanThis surname was originally used as a derogative nickname for an unscrupulous individual, from Middle Low German
rover meaning "pirate, robber."
Rover English, German (Anglicized)This surname is derived from Middle English
roof (from Old English
hrof) combined with the agent suffix
(i)er, which denotes someone who does/works with something. Thus, the surname was originally used for a constructor or repairer of roofs.... [
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Rovira CatalanTopographic name for someone who lived by an oak wood, from Catalan
rovira meaning "oak wood, oak grove".
Rovnák CzechHabitational name from places named Rovné and/or Rovný.
Rowe JewishA shortened form of the surname Horowitz, a variant of the surname Horovic, from the town of Horovice, Czech Republic.
Röwekamp GermanFrom old German
röwe meaning "lion" and
kamp meaning "fighter". Perhaps named for someone who's brave.
Rowett EnglishEnglish from a medieval personal name composed of the Germanic elements
hrod ‘renown’ +
wald ‘rule’, which was introduced into England by Scandinavian settlers in the form
Róaldr, and again later by the Normans in the form
Rohald or
Roald... [
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Rowley EnglishAnglo Saxon Name- locational, comes from several places in England such as in Devonshire, Yorkshire, County Durham and Staffordshire. It means ' rough wood or clearing', from the Old English 'run' meaning rough and 'leah', meaning clearing in a wood.
Rowson English (British, Anglicized)The ancestors of the Rowson family first reached the shores of England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Their name is derived from the Norman given name Ralph. This name, which also occurs as Ralf, Rolf, and Raoul, is adapted from the Old French given name Raol.... [
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Roxburgh ScottishFrom
Roxburgh, a village near the market town of Kelso in the Scottish Borders area in Scotland, derived from the Old English byname
Hroc meaning "rook" and
burh meaning "fortified place"... [
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Royintan PersianRoyintan means "invulnerable". It is a Persian origin surname, which is written as رویین تن in Persian. It consists of
royen meaning "strong" and
tan meaning "body, person".... [
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Rozelle FrenchBeautiful flower from France brought over by an immigrant named Page Rozelle. People said when she said something nice or touched you, good luck would come to you.
Rozema FrisianPossibly a contraction of Roelfsema meaning "son of
Roelf" or derived from
Roos. Also spelled Rosema, Roosma, Rozeman.
Rozman JewishVariant of Rosman. Slovenian (also Rožman): occupational name for a carter or a horse breeder or dealer, from Middle High German ros 'horse' + man 'man'. Compare German Rossmann.
Rozwadowski PolishHabitational name for someone from Rozwady or Rozwadów in Biała Podlaska voivodeship.
Rubalcava SpanishHabitational name for someone originally from the town of Rubalcaba in Cantabria, Spain. The name itself is derived from Arabic الربع الخالي
(ar-rubʿ al-ḵālī) meaning "the Empty Quarter", referring to the Rub' al Khali desert in the Arabian Peninsula.
Rubiáns GalicianIt indicates familial origin in the parish of Santa María de Rubiáns in the municipality of Vilagarcía de Arousa.
Rubino ItalianThe surname Rubino derives from the name Rubino, in turn originated from the Latin term "Rubeus" (red) with evident reference to the well-known precious stone. It is thought that originally the surname was attributed to the physical characteristics of having red hair, however, the origin of the surname Rubino from the Hebrew term "Ruben" which meant "son of providence", or even from the apheresis of the name "Cherubino".
Rucci ItalianPatronymic from the personal name
Ruccio, from a short form of various pet names formed with this suffix, as for example Gasparuccio (from Gaspari) or Baldassaruccio (from Baldasare).
Ruch German (Swiss)It was originally a nickname for a greedy person, from Middle High German ruoch ‘eager,’ ‘intent.’... [
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Rucinski PolishHabitational name for someone from a place called Ruciany in Siedlce.
Rucker GermanMiddle High German: nickname
rucken "to move or draw". North German: nickname from Middle Low German rucker "thief", "greedy or acquisitive person". German: from a reduced form of the Germanic personal name
Rudiger... [
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Rückmann GermanFrom a Germanic personal name based on
hrok "intent", "eager" (Old High German
ruoh).
Rudd EnglishThe surname Rudd is derived from the Old English root "rud-," a component in the words "rudig," which means "ruddy," and "ruddoc," which means "red-breast." The surname was originally a nickname for a ruddy complexioned or red-haired person, or perhaps for someone who habitually wore the color red.
Rudeen Swedish (Archaic)Variant or possibly an anglicized form of
Rudén. Rudeen is currently not used in Sweden. One known bearer, bishop Torsten Rudeen (1661-1729), got his name from his father's surname
Rudenius (also related to Rudén).
Rudolf GermanFrom a personal name composed of Old High German
hrōd "renown" and
wolf "wolf", equivalent to English
Ralph. This name is also found in Slovenia.
Rudström SwedishCombination of Swedish
rud "deforested land, clearing" and
ström "stream".
Rudyard EnglishFrom the location Rudyard (Staffs) which is recorded as Rudegeard in 100 The place-name probably derives from Old English
rude "rue" and
geard "enclosure yard".
Rudzutaka Latvian (Rare)Rudzutaka is compound from two words first
rudzu meaning "rye" and second
taka meaning "path". Rudzutaka is femenine form of surname, the masculine form of surname is Rudzutaks. Most famous person with this surname is Jānis Rudzutaks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jānis_Rudzutaks... [
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Rue FrenchThe name Rue dates back to the days of Medieval France, in the region of Normandy. It is derived from their residence in Normandy. However, the name Ruell is derived from the Old French word ruelle, meaning lane or alley, and indicates that the original bearer lived in such a place... [
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Rueda SpanishDerived from the Spanish word "rueda" meaning "wheel."
Rueger GermanThe name was likely first bestowed on someone thought to have the characteristics of a heron as a nickname, eventually becoming a hereditary surname.
Ruelas FrenchA last name common in Mexico which is believed to have derived from the French word ruelle (or Portuguese word ruela) meaning lane or alley.
Ruetten German(Rütten): from a field name, here showing an inflected form from a full name like aus den Rütten ‘from the clearing(s)’ (see
Rutten and
Reuter 1 Ruffin EnglishFrom the medieval French male personal name
Ruffin, from Latin
Rūfīnus, a derivative of
Rūfus (literally "red-haired one")... [
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Rüga EstonianRüga is an Estonian surname derived from "rügama" meaning to "toil" and "rügaja" meaning "toiler".
Rugby EnglishFrom Rugby, Warwickshire. Originally named
*Rocheberie, from Old English
*Hrocaburg, 'Hroca's fort', the name was altered due to influence fort Danish settlers, with the second element being replaced with Old Norse
byr, 'farm'.... [
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Ruge GermanNickname from Middle High German
ruowe,
ruge ‘quiet’, ‘calm’ or Low German
rug ‘rough’, ‘crude’.... [
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Rugeley Anglo-SaxonA 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.
Rugg EnglishNickname for a person associated with the color red, whether through hair color, clothing, or complexion. Accordingly, the name is derived from the Old French word ruge, meaning red.
Rugh GermanA variant of the Alsacian German (and probably Swiss before that) Ruch. Also a variant of the Danish Rügh (not related as far as is known)
Ruhe GermanVariant of
Ruge. (
Rühe) is also a nickname from
Rüde ‘hound.’ Habitational name from places named Rühen, Rüden, Rhüden in northern Germany.
Ruhr GermanName given to a person who lived near the Ruhr River in Germany.
Ruibal GalicianIt indicates familial origin within the eponymous neighborhood of the council of Moraña.
Ruisard French (Rare, ?)Originated as a result of trade between France and the Persian Empires before the Iranian Revolution, probably during the Safavid Dynasty. The surname has its roots in the Persian
Riahi surname and the Arabic word رِيح (rīḥ) meaning "wind" and the Persian word “sered” before it was altered to fit French spelling rules.... [
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Ruiter DutchDerived from the Dutch noun
ruiter meaning "rider, horseman".
Rukki EstonianRukki is an Estonian surname derived from "rukis", meaning "rye"
Rule Scottish, EnglishScottish name from the lands of Rule in the parish of Hobkirk, Roxburghshire. The derivation is from the River Rule which flows through the area, and is so called from the ancient Welsh word "rhull" meaning "hasty or rushing".... [
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Rull EstonianRull is an Estonian surname meaning "spool" and "roll".
Rumbelow EnglishMeans "person from Rumbelow", the name of various locations in England ("three mounds").
Rumble EnglishDescended from the personal name Rumbald/Rombold, which is composed of the Germanic elements
hrom "fame, glory" and
bald "bold, brave".
Rumfelt German, DutchAltered spelling of German
Romfeld, derived from Middle Low German
rüm- meaning "to clear (land)" and
feld meaning "open country, field", hence a topographic name or possibly a metonymic occupational name for a person engaged in clearing woodland, or in some cases a habitational name for someone from
Romfelt in the Ardennes... [
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Rumford EnglishFrom the parish of Romford in Essex, England. The name means "the wide ford" from Old English
rúm "wide".
Rummenigge GermanMeaning uncertain. It could possibly be an occupational name for a viticulturist who grew grapes to make wine, a seller or producer of Romanian wine, or a nickname for a person who preferred to drink Romanian wine... [
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Rummo EstonianRummo is an Estonian surname, derived from "rumm" ("rum").
Rump EstonianRump is an Estonian surname meaning "dugout" and "punt".
Rumple GermanIt is derived from Rumbald, an Old German personal name.
Rumpole EnglishA different form of
Rumbold (from the Norman personal name
Rumbald, of Germanic origin and probably meaning literally "fame-bold"). A fictional bearer of the surname is Horace Rumpole, the eccentric QC created by John Mortimer (originally for a 1975 television play).
Rumschlag GermanThis name is possibly a derivative of the
German word for "envelope" which is spelled 'Umschlag'.
Rumsfeld GermanVariant spelling of
Rumfelt. A notable bearer was the American politician, businessman and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (1932-2021).
Runcie English, ScottishDerived from Latin runcinus, and related to the Old French "roncin", for a horse of little value. Middle English, Rouncy, as in Chaucer's Cantebury Tales.... [
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Rundell EnglishNickname derived from a diminutive of Middle English and Old French
rond,
rund meaning "fat, round" (see
Rounds), or derived from
Rundale, a local place in the village and civil parish of Shoreham in Kent, England, named with Old English
rum(ig) meaning "roomy, spacious" and
dæl meaning "valley".
Rundgren SwedishSwedish surname with somewhat unclear etymology. The first element is possibly taken from a place named with either of the elements
rund and/or
run.
Rund coincides with the Swedish word for "round", but it is not clear if the element used in this name is derived from that word... [
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Rundqvist SwedishCombination of Swedish
rund "round" and
qvist, an archaic spelling of
kvist, "twig".
Runds Germanic (Rare)The Runds surname most likely originated near the Rhine river. It comes from the Proto-Celtic word, rūnā, meaning mystery/mystic. The coat of arms dates back to the middle ages and consists of a black shield with three gold crescent moons... [
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Rüngas EstonianRüngas is an Estonian surname meaning "rock" and "cliff".
Runge GermanFrom the old word "runga", meaning stick or whip
Rünk EstonianRünk is an Estonian surname meaning "crag" and "rock".
Rünne EstonianRünne is an Estonian surname meaning both "attack" and "to make inroads into something".
Runner English (American)Probably an altered spelling of German Ronner, annoccupational name for a runner or messenger, a lightly armed mounted soldier. Compare Renner. UK The surname Runner was first found in Lancashire. One of the first records of the family was found in the year 1246 when Alan de Runacres held estates in that shire... [
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Ruotina ItalianMeans "wheel" in Italian. This meant that a bearer of this surname was a wheel maker.
Rusakova RussianJulia Rusakova-Harper was a Russian astronaut for NASA and former wife to Jack Harper in the movie Oblivion (2013). She was played by Olga Kurylenko alongside Jack Harper’s character played by Tom Cruise... [
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Rusby Scottish, EnglishAlternative spelling of Busby, a parish in Renfrewshire. A name well represented in the Penistone, and Cawthorne districts of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Rusch GermanMeaning "shaggy," "bristly," "unkempt," or "quick."
Rush IrishReduced Anglicized form of Gaelic
Ó Ruis "descendant of
Ros", a personal name perhaps derived from
ros "wood". In Connacht it has also been used as a translation of
Ó Luachra (see
Loughrey).
Rushdie Kashmiri (Rare)Derived from Arabic رَشَدَ
(rašada) meaning "to go the right way, to follow the right course" or "to be well guided" (related to the given names
Rashad and
Rashid)... [
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Rushen EnglishOriginally denoted a person who lived near a marsh, noted for its rushes (see
Rush). A famous bearer of this surname is the American singer Patrice Rushen (b. 1954).
Rusher German (Americanized)Americanized version of the German surname Rüscher or Roshcer. Either a topographic name for someone who lived among rushes or an occupational name for someone who created things out of rushes.
Russ Popular CultureDerived from Kievan Rus, an ancient state that existed in modern-day Russia. It is born by Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves from Warhammer 40,000.
Russkikh RussianMeans "Russian" in Russian, probably used as a nickname for a person who lived in a village where the majority of residents were non-Russian.
Ruth English, German (Swiss)English: from Middle English reuthe ‘pity’ (a derivative of rewen to pity, Old English hreowan) nickname for a charitable person or for a pitiable one. Not related to the given name in this case.... [
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Ruthven English, ScottishFrom the name of a barony in Perthshire, Scotland, which comes from Scottish Gaelic
Ruadhainn "Dun uplands".
Rutter EnglishEither (i) "player of the rote (a medieval stringed instrument played by plucking)"; or (ii) from a medieval nickname for a dishonest or untrustworthy person (from Old French
routier "robber, mugger")... [
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Ruuge EstonianRuuge is an Estonian surname meaning "pale brown" or "dark blonde" or "sorrel" colored.
Ruus EstonianRuus is an Estonian surname possibly derived from "kruus" meaning "mug", "shingle" and "ballast". Possibly derived from "rüüs" meaning "frilled".
Rüüt EstonianRüüt is an Estonian surname meaning "golden plover" (Pluvialis apricaria).
Ruutikainen FinnishA rare Finnish surname combining the word for gunpowder, "ruuti", and the common surname ending -nen. The 2017 Finnish population register indicates there are 106 Ruutikainens alive in Finland, and some sites estimate there are another ten abroad... [
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Ruutopõld EstonianRuutopõld is an Estonian surname derived from "ruut (square)" and "põld" ("field").
Ružek CzechIt means "rose". Derived from name Ružena.
Ruzicki PolishRuzicki was first found in Polesie, inhabited by Ruthenians, called Polesians, of Ukrainian descent. One of the principal names of the area was the royal Clan of Poraj, of which the family name Ruzycki is a branch.
Ryall EnglishFrom any of several places in England named from Old English
ryge "rye" +
hyll "hill".