Routledge (surname) facts for kids

The name Routledge is a family name, also known as a surname. It comes from both English and Scottish history. Many people with this name have roots in the area where England and Scotland meet, called the Anglo-Scottish border.

Different Ways to Spell Routledge

Sometimes, family names can have different spellings. For Routledge, some common variations are Rutledge, Ratledge, and Ruttledge. Over time, especially in old records, you might find many other ways this name was spelled!

The History of the Routledge Name

This map from the 1600s shows places in Scotland where early Routledge families lived, like Hawick and Cavers.

The Routledge name first appeared in records during the 1400s. This was in Scotland, near the border with England. Families lived in places like Liddesdale and the towns of Roxburgh, Hawick, and Cavers, all along the River Teviot.

Early Routledge families were known as border reivers. These were groups of people who lived near the border and sometimes raided each other's lands. In the 1500s, their land was damaged during a conflict called the Rough Wooing. Because of this, many families moved across the border into England. They settled in areas like Kilham, Northumberland, Bewcastle, and Lanercost in Cumberland.

Later, in the 1600s, some Routledges moved to Ulster, which is in Northern Ireland. From Ireland, some family members traveled even further. They immigrated to North America and France in the 1600s. By the late 1700s, some also moved to Australia.

Where Routledge Families Live Today

Today, about 7,100 people around the world have the Routledge surname. Most of them, about 4,500, live in England. In England, you'll find the highest number of Routledges in the northern parts. These areas include Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham.

Other countries with many Routledge families include:

• Canada: About 890 people
• United States: About 580 people
• Australia: About 540 people
• Scotland: About 220 people (most live near the border in Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway)

The spelling variation Rutledge is even more common globally, with about 41,000 people using it. Most of these Rutledge families, around 35,000, live in the United States. Other places with many Rutledges include:

• Canada: 2,900 people
• Australia: 1,000 people
• England: 620 people
• New Zealand: 350 people
• Ireland: 220 people
• Northern Ireland: 200 people

The Ratledge spelling is used by about 1,200 people. Most of them, 990, are in the United States. England is home to another 180 Ratledges.

About 430 people are named Ruttledge. This spelling is most common in Ireland (140 people), but also found in England (130 people) and the United States (110 people).

Famous People Named Routledge

Many people with the Routledge surname have made contributions in different fields.

Entertainers

• Alison Routledge (born 1960): An actress from New Zealand.
• Anna Mae Routledge: A Canadian actress.
• Jordan Routledge: A British actor.
• Patricia Routledge (born 1929): A well-known English actress, comedian, and singer.

People in Politics

• Edmund Routledge (1843–1899): A British publisher who also served as a politician.
• George Albert Routledge (1855–1924): A Canadian politician from Ontario.
• Janet Routledge: A Canadian politician from British Columbia.
• Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge (born 1952): A politician from South Africa.

Scientists and Inventors

• Donald Routledge Hill (1922–1994): An engineer and historian.
• Joshua Routledge (1773–1829): An English engineer who invented the Engineer's Slide Rule.
• Katherine Routledge (1866–1935): An English archaeologist famous for her work studying Easter Island.
• Norman Routledge (1928–2013): An English mathematician and schoolteacher.
• William Scoresby Routledge (1859–1939): An anthropologist and husband of Katherine Routledge.

Sports Figures

• Ben Fisk-Routledge (born 1993): A Canadian soccer player.
• Bill Routledge (1907–1972): An English footballer.
• Jon Routledge (born 1989): An English footballer.
• Raymond Routledge (1931–2008): An American bodybuilder who won the Mr. America title in 1961.
• Thomas Routledge (1867–1927): An English-born cricketer who played for South Africa.
• Wayne Routledge (born 1985): An English footballer.

Other Notable People

• George Routledge (1812–1888): An English publisher who started the famous Routledge book company.

See Also

• Routledge: A well-known British book publishing company.
• Ratledge
• Rutledge (disambiguation)
• Ruttledge