Surname Ruedell - Meaning and Origin

Ruedell: What does the surname Ruedell mean?

The last name Ruedell is of Germanic origin and is thought to be derived from either the personal Germanic name "Hrodwulf" or the Germanic word "wrudo," meaning renown. The surname Ruedell is likely to have originated as a location-based surname, indicating someone who came from a place known as Ruedell.

This surname was originally found in the area of Thuringia in central Germany, typically near the Hesse border. In earlier records, the surname is found spelled in various versions including Ruedele, Raudel, Randel, and Reudel.

Typically in German surnames, the suffix ‘-el’ indicates a diminutive of the stem, i.e. a smaller or lesser version. This is sometimes seen with words referring to family names, as an indication of a branch of the family. In the case of Ruedell, it likely indicates a fragment of the family left to establish a separate estate elsewhere.

Ruedell is believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or clearing that had been cleared of trees, for agricultural or other purposes. Topographic surnames were common in pre-17th century Germany, as people adopted the name of a landmark or area to which they held some connection.

As with other names, the spelling of Ruedell has evolved over time and many variations of the name are found today. It is likely that anyone with the first name Ruedell is descended from these original German immigrants, and is now part of the global Ruedell family.

Ruedell: Where does the name Ruedell come from?

Ruedell is a German surname predominantly found in southwestern Germany. The name may have originated in the Swabian region of Baden-Württemberg, with its earliest documented use dating back to 1651 in Oberjettingen.

Today, Ruedell can still be found throughout Germany, particularly in the southwest. It is also popular in the United States, where it is estimated that some 5,000 people bear the name. Americans of Ruedell descent primarily originate from German immigrants in the 16th and 17th centuries. The highest concentration of Ruedell households in the United States is found in Illinois and Missouri.

Ruedell can also be found in Canada, although the Canadian apprehensions are quite limited. A few families migrated from the United States over the 19th and 20th century, but the migration remained small compared to other German surnames.

Finally, Ruedell is quite common in Australia, where many of the original settlers bore the name. The highest concentration of Ruedell families is found in the state of South Australia where many of the original migrants settled.

Variations of the surname Ruedell

The surname Ruedell has a few different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Ruedell can be spelled as Ruedele, Rudel, Riedel, Riedle, Riedell, Riedelle, Reudel, Redell, Redelle, Ruettel, Rettel, and Rütel.

These spellings, along with their associated surnames, are found mainly in German-speaking countries. The surname Ruedell comes from the given name Rudolph, which is the Germanic form of ‘Rudolph’ or ‘Hrodulf’, combined with the diminutive -el, meaning ‘little’. It was initially popular in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland before becoming widely used in areas throughout Europe and the United States.

Other surnames with the same origin include Rudolphus, Raudel, Raudell, Redel, Redell, and Redelle. The variants Rudalf and Rudolf are alternate spellings of the given name Rudolph. All of these surnames are derived from the Old Germanic elements hrod which means “fame”, and wulf which means “wolf”.

Even though they are different spellings, they all refer to the same surname. All of these surnames are used by individuals and families who are either of Germanic or of German ancestry.

Famous people with the name Ruedell

• Eric Ruedell: American musician, composer, and actor who is best known as a member of the band Augustana.
• Richard Ruedell: American businessman and philanthropist who was a partner of the business conglomerate Fidelity Investments.
• Joe Ruedell: American professional basketball player, who played in the NBA from 1948 to 1949.
• Gene Ruedell: American former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent four months playing for the Chicago White Sox in 1942.
• Bill Ruedell: 17th Vice President of the United States of America, serving under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981.
• Edwin Ruedell: Austrian Olympic sprint athlete who won a gold medal in the 4 x 100m relay in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Don Ruedell: American film and television actor, best known for his role in the television series Bonanza.
• Dick Ruedell: American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League in the 1950s.
• Ted Ruedell: Former professional ice hockey player who won two Stanley Cups during his career in the National Hockey League.
• Fritz Ruedell: German World War II U-boat commander who is credited with sinking 36 merchant vessels and two warships.

Other surnames

Ruedel