Surname Ridgeway - Meaning and Origin
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Ridgeway: What does the surname Ridgeway mean?
The last name Ridgeway is of English origin. It is a topographical name derived from either residence near a ridge, or a road running along a ridge. The Old English word ‘weg’ meaning ‘way’ or ‘road’ is combined with 'rycge’, an Old English word for ‘ridge’. It may also have been derived from a place originally named with this word.
The earliest records of the Ridgeway name date back to the 11th century when William de Redgewaie was recorded as living in Durham in 1186. It is also found in the histories of Leicestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. There are also records of the name in Scotland, particularly in Dumfriesshire where several branches of the Ridgeway family can be found.
The Ridgeway name is well respected and found in many recorded places. Families with this name have made great contributions to their communities, and continue to do so today.
Order DNA origin analysisRidgeway: Where does the name Ridgeway come from?
The last name Ridgeway is most commonly found in North America. The United States and Canada in particular have a decade's long history of the Ridgeway family living within their jurisdictions. In the United States, Ridgeway is mainly present in the south, where states such as Arkansas, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia count the family name among their highest concentrations.
In Canada, the Ridgeway family name is also widely present, although its concentration varies more widely by region compared to the United States. Overall, the Ridgeway family is most densely distributed in the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec.
The Ridgeway family name is also present in small numbers in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Here, its most frequent appearances happen in England and Northern Ireland.
In terms of total concentration globally, the Ridgeway family name is not particularly widespread. In the United States, its average concentration of 0.003% means that it is only the 47,695th most common surname in the country. In Canada, it is about the 97,466th most common surname in Canada.
Overall, the last name Ridgeway can be found in countries around the world, but its highest population concentrations are in North America.
Variations of the surname Ridgeway
The Ridgeway surname has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variations of this surname include Ridgway, Redgeway, Ridgewaye, Redgewaye, Rygway, Rigway, Rigeway, Rideway, Redeway, Redewey, Redwey, and Rygeway.
These different spellings and variants of the Ridgeway surname can be found in various records around the world. In England, it is believed the surname originated in Wiltshire and took the form of Redgewaye. Over time, the spelling shifted as mobility of people increased. The Ridgeway spelling was most prominent during the 19th century.
In the United States, the most popular spelling of the surname is Ridgway. This was because many of the early settlers with the surname either originated from the same location in Wiltshire or had the same ancestor.
In Canada, the most popular variant of the surname is Ridgeway. This variant is related to the immigrants who settled in Nova Scotia in the early 1700s.
In Australia, the variant Redgeway is believed to be the most popular form of the Ridgeway surname today. Many early settlers to Australia with this surname descended from Irish immigrants to England who took on the surname Redgeway.
Overall, the surnames Ridgeway and its variants are believed to have originated in Wiltshire, and over time, has spread to various countries around the world. The most popular forms of the name found in each country are Ridgway, Redgeway, Ridgewaye, Redgewaye, Rigway, Rigeway, Rideway, Redeway, Redewey, Redwey, Rygway, and Rygeway.
Famous people with the name Ridgeway
- Brittney Ridgeway: American singer and actress known for her roles in films such as High School Musical and its subsequent sequels.
- Felecia Ridgeway: American actress best known as a regular on the television series That's So Raven.
- Jack Ridgeway: former Canadian ice hockey player and coach, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005.
- Joe Ridgeway: American football player for the Denver Broncos in the 1970s.
- Abigail Ridgeway: American journalist and news anchor for NBC News.
- Kit Ridgeway: British comedian and television presenter, best known for his show Ridgeway: Supreme on ITV.
- Lee Ridgeway: British Olympic swimmer, winner of two gold medals in the 1960 Summer Olympics and one in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Mel Ridgeway: American actor and podcaster, known for his voiceover roles on shows like Aquaman.
- Jennifer Ridgeway: American composer and musician, best known for her work on the podcast Serial.
- Ryan Ridgeway: American racecar driver and winner of the 2018 NASCAR All-Star Race.