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Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : from an Old English personal name, either Rǣdweald or Rǣdwulf. The first element in each is rǣd ‘counsel’, ‘advice’; the final elements are weald ‘rule’ and wulf ‘wolf’.
  • English : topographic name, from Old English (ge)ryd(d) ‘cleared’ + weald ‘woodland’, ‘high woodland subsequently cleared’.

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