SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "R"

[Rabe], [Randals], [Read], [Redwood], [Reece], [Rees], [Reeves], [Regan], [Reynolds], [Ric], [Richards], [Riddle], [Rider], [Rifkind], [Rigby], [Ripley], [Robart], [Roberts], [Roderick], [Rogers], [Roper], [Ros], [Rowan], [Rowlands], [Ruddock], [Russell], [Ryan], [Ryder]

RABE - The German word meaning "Crow", the place name "Raby" might be a corruption of the original foreign word. The German variant may still be used as a suffix to commonly recognised English surnames.

RANDALS - The forename Randal is thought to be an early variation of the name Ranulf which came to Britain with the Norman forces of William the Conqueror. The "s" on the name no doubt indicates the association of father and son "Randal's son" = Randals. Variations include Randles, Randells, Randalls

READ - The early origins of this family name may stem from the word for someone with Red hair or complexion. Variations, including REED may derive from other sources.

REDWOOD - The prefix "Red" was common amongst the Saxon people who settled in Britain, as evidenced by "Redwald", the recorded king of the East Angles in the 5th or 6th Century.

REECE - A variant of Reese and thought to derive from the Welsh/Celtic word meaning "ardent"

REES - Possibly derived from the Welsh name "Rhys". Variations include Reed, Reid, Rice, etc

REEVES - The early known Anglo Saxon word "Reeve" or "Reve" was thought to identify a servant of, an agent or minister of a local Lord or Monarch. Its later use as a family name possibly originates from the association that such a post attached to an individual and his family. Also, it may derive from the "Reeve's son" being contracted to produce the later title. REVIE might be a variant of this family name.

REGAN -  A fairly common Irish family name, which is said to be derived from "Riagain", a Gaelic word meaning a "little king" or perhaps "princely".

REYNOLDS - Thought to be derived from the Germanic forename Reynold and introduced to Britain with the Norman forces of William the Conqueror. An individual called "Reynold" was recorded as the King of York in 923AD. The "Rey" prefix would suggest a link with the colour "Red", as is the case with the nickname "Reynard" a title given to foxes.

RIC - Commonly regarded as an Anglo Saxon name suffix; eg: Cedric

RICHARDS - More likely to derive from "Richard's son" which has been adopted in a contracted form. Variations include Richardson. The forename Richard is thought to be Germanic in origin, the prefix "Ric" denoting "power" and the suffix "hard" meaning "strong". It probably came to Britain with the continental forces of Duke William of Normandy in the 11th Century.

RIDDLE - The modern name may actually stem as a variation of the name Ryedale, identifying a specific geographical location which became associated with the people who lived there

RIDER - Possibly originating from the German word "Reiter" meaning "Horseman" which has been altered and corrupted over time to give us the more anglicized version. Variants include Ryder.

RIFKIND - The "kin" suffix is thought to reflect the relationship "kinsman" which in this case has been added to, possibly reflecting "kindred".

RIGBY - A locative name which has attached itself to the people who lived in a particular place, being derived from the Viking Norse words for "the farm on the ridge" or "Ridge Farm".

RIPLEY - An Abbot with this surname held office at Chester's historic Norman Abbey from 1485 to 1493. The "ley" suffix is thought to originate from the word for an area of cleared ground.

ROBART - Thought to be a derivation of the German "Rot(h)bart" meaning "Red Beard". The "Bart" suffix is occasionally used in modern day surnames, presumably relating to the German for "beard".

ROBERTS - Originating from "Robert's son" which has been contracted. Variants include Robertson. The forename Robert is said to be Germanic in origin, deriving from "Hrod" meaning "fame" and "Berht" meaning "Bright". Robert, the Earl of Normany was the father of William the Conqueror who died in 1031AD.

RODERICK - Although thought to be of Germanic origin, which transferred to Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror, it has been connected with the Welsh personal names Rhodri and Rhydderch.

ROGERS - Thought to be derived from the German name Roger, from the words "Hrod" meaning "fame" and "Gar" meaning "spear". It first came to Britain with the Norman armies of Duke William of Normandy and the surname denotes the relationship between father and son.

ROPER - An occupational title for a manufacturer of ropes or nets which became associated with those employed within that particular trade.

ROS - Thought to have originated from the Cornish word meaning "heath" and may be a possible origin for modern family names carrying this 3 letter prefix. eg: Rossiter

ROWAN - Generally associated with the tree of that name.

ROWLANDS - Commonly said to originate from the German forename Roland, from the words "Hrod" meaning "fame" and "Land" meaning "land," which was brought to Britain by members of the Norman continental army in the 11th Century. An early Viking leader called "Rolla" was reported to have subdued the Normandy area of France.

RUDDOCK - Thought to derive from the medieval Welsh name Rhydderch meaning "liberal".

RUSSELL - The modern name is said to have its roots in the French word "Rousel" which identified someone with red hair or complexion and no doubt the foundation of the description RUSSET.

RYAN - The Irish/Gaelic foundation of the modern name is thought to stem from the forename "Maoilriain" which meant "king"

RYDER - Possibly representing an earlier version of the modern day "Rider" and might have been the occupational title given to those who transported messages by horse.

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