Origin and Meaning of Rutledge

Meaning & Origin

From the dirty clearing

Origin: Old English - Derived from the Old English words 'ruot' (meaning 'rut' or 'mud') and 'leah' (meaning 'wood' or 'clearing').

Interesting Facts

  • Rutledge is a surname turned first name that has historical roots in England and is associated with various noble families.
  • This name can be found across the United States, often attributed to Southern heritage where many bearers of the name can trace their ancestry.
  • Notable bearers include Rutledge Wood, an American television personality known for his work on motorsports programming.
  • While not extremely common as a first name, Rutledge has seen a gradual increase in usage over the past few decades and is primarily used for boys but can also be unisex.
  • Similar names include Rutledge's variants such as Rutledge-George, and it shares phonetic similarities with other surname-based first names like Madison and Addison.