ridley etymology

Etymology:

• Old English: hrīd (reed) + lēah (woodland or clearing)

Meaning and Origin:

The surname Ridley originated as a topographic name given to someone who lived near a clearing or woodland where reeds grew. Reeds are tall, grass-like plants that grow in wet areas. The suffix "-ley" or "-ly" indicates a place of, hence "Ridley" means "reedland."

The surname is particularly common in the counties of Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire in northern England, where large areas of reedbeds existed in the Middle Ages. The first recorded instances of the name include:

• 1177: William de Riddele in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire
• 1215: Robert de Ridele in the Rolls of the Curia Regis of the reign of King John
• 1227: Simon de Ridel in the Curia Regis Rolls of the reign of King Henry III

ridley relate terms

• craft

  Etymology Old English cræft from Proto Germanic kraptiz meaning strength powe

• mushroom

  Etymology The word mushroom has its origins in the Old French word mouscheron which

• chorus

  Etymology Late Latin chorus Greek khoros a dancing place from khoreia dance Me

• handsome

  Etymology The word handsome originated in the 13th century from the Middle English wor

• behold

  Etymology Origin Old English behaldan from Proto Germanic bihanthaldiz derived fr

• nail

  Etymology The word nail has multiple etymological origins Germanic nagul or nagl n

• carpenter

  Etymology The word carpenter comes from the Old French word carpentier which in turn

• attitude

  Etymology Medieval Latin aptitudo natural fitness suitability Latin aptus fit