REDDAWAY
Reddaway
Reddaway is a surname of English origin, believed to be a locational name deriving from a place called "Ridaway" or "Ridgeway". It is predominantly found in the counties of Devon and Somerset in South West England.
Origin and Meaning
The surname Reddaway is thought to originate from Old English, with "redd" meaning red or cleared land, and "weg" meaning a way or road. Therefore, the name may have originally referred to someone who lived by a red path or travelled on a red route. Over time, variations in spelling have appeared, including Redaway and Ridaway.
Distribution and Popularity
The Reddaway surname is relatively rare, with most bearers of the name residing in the South West of England. The name may also be found in former British colonies such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, due to immigration patterns.
Notable Bearers
- Dr. Christopher Reddaway: A respected British historian specialising in medieval studies.
- Jane Reddaway: An acclaimed British artist known for her landscape paintings.
References
Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.
There are approximately 263 people named Reddaway in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Reddaway.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- David
- Derek
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Sean
- William
Female
- Amanda
- Beryl
- Beth
- Christine
- Claire
- Dorothy
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Kathleen
- Lynda
- Sarah
- Tracy