Riding

Riding is a prominent British surname with a rich history dating back centuries. The surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word "thriding," meaning a third part. It is thought to have originally been used to denote someone who lived in a third part of a village or town, or who was from a place named Riding.

The name Riding is most commonly found in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire. This region was historically divided into three administrative divisions known as the ridings: East Riding, North Riding, and West Riding. Residents of these areas may have adopted the surname Riding as a locational surname to identify their place of origin.

Over the centuries, individuals bearing the surname Riding have spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond through migration and emigration. The name has undergone various spelling variations, including Ryding and Ridding, depending on regional dialects and phonetic changes.

Today, the surname Riding continues to be borne by numerous families across the United Kingdom and in other English-speaking countries. It remains a testament to the enduring legacy of the Anglo-Saxon naming practices and the historical connections to specific regions within England.

Notable individuals with the surname Riding have made contributions in various fields, including academia, arts, business, and sports, further enriching the legacy of this venerable British surname.

There are approximately 3,151 people named Riding in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,865th most common surname in Britain. Around 48 in a million people in Britain are named Riding.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Barbara
  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Joanne
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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