The RUDGE Family Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Here's a catalog of competing theories on the origin(s) of the Rudge surname with references.

Below are links to genealogies of several branches of the Rudge family.

• Evesham branch 1587>present; Seisdon, Stafford Co. >Evesham, Worcester Co. England
  - this is the landed Rudge family associated with Evesham referred to in
  Burke's Landed Gentry

  Gloucester branch 1726>1864; Gloucester >London, England

  - this is a branch of the Rudge family associated with Gloucester cathedral, that

  at least one heraldry book refers to as being awarded a coat of arms, by virtue

  of its unspecified connection with the family centered at Evesham.

  Cirencester branch 1602>1752; Cirencester, Co. Gloucester >London, England

  - this branch of the Rudge family applied for, but was not awarded a coat of

  arms, because they could not establish their connection to the Evesham Rudge

  family.

  Smethwick branch 1741>present; Smethwick, Stafford Co. England

  - this is the branch I have been doing research on during 2008, as I believe I have discovered a connection to the North Carolina branch below from which I descend

  North Carolina branch 1799>present; Southwark (London) England>Monroe, NC

  - this is my branch of the Rudge family; no clear connection yet to the family of

  Evesham, but interesting nevertheless

  Brazil branch 1792>present; Gloucester England>Brazil

  - this is a branch of the Rudge family that migrated to South America. I am not doing research on this branch and am not updating it

Here's a comprehensive index of individuals mentioned in the above five genealogies (doesn't yet include the Smethwick branch).

Other resources to help you with your research on the Rudge family regarding the above five branches.

• New Zealand branch1834>present; Wolverhampton, England>New Zealand
  - this is a branch of the Rudge family associated with the Rudge Bicycle company
  that migrated to New Zealand. It is the result of long and hard work by Marie
  Cooper and is located on a site maintained by a genealogy society specializing in
  families that lived in Wolverhampton, England. The site also contains a link to
  information about the Rudge Bike Company.

From time to time, I receive queries from people researching branches of the Rudge family. I have posted them on a bulletin board here. Please email if you would like me to post one for you.

Here's a link to my personal genealogy page, with information on other branches of my family.

Awards this site has received: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

If you have any comments or suggestions on how to improve this page, here's my email address: david.rudge@wmich.edu.

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Last updated on 25 Feb 2019