Recorded as Rudman, Rudiman and Ruddiman, this is an Anglo-Scottish surname. It is either a derivation of the Olde Celtic and English word "rudde" meaning "red", plus "mann", a kinsman or servant, or from the popular surname Redman. If the former, the prefix Rudde was often used as a personal and perhaps ethnic name either for one with a ruddy complexion, or more likely as a nickname for a Saxon invader, one who took up residence amongst the native Celts, and for whom the term may have been derogatory. A second possibility is that the name is a transposition from "Redman", a relatively popular name of North Country origins, and one found recorded as far back as the 12th century in the county of Westmorland. Curiously, Redman does not seem to be a reference to a "Saxon" but is a development from "Redmain", a small hamlet in the parish of Isell, Cumberland. The recordings do clearly suggest that "Redman" is the original spelling, the links being from Norman de Redman of Westmoreland in 1188, to Henry de Rydeman, also of Westmorland in 1292, whilst William Rudman is recorded in Edinbugh in 1561 and another John Rudman at Todmorden, in Yorkshire, on December 5th 1700. On October 21st 1770, a John Rudiman was a christening witness at Nafferton, East Yorkshire, and in Huddersfield on May 12th 1788 is recorded for one time only the curious spelling of George Redumont, who married Martha Haigh, seemingly by civil licence. Thomas Ruddiman, (1674 - 1757), was a Philologist of Aberden and Edinburgh, during the reign of King George 11nd, 1721 - 1760. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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