Puritan Surnames

Pratt

English

"trick, craft"

In British slang, a "prat" is an idiot -- enough said.

Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe is a masculine name that originated as an English surname derived from place names combining 'rat' (red) and 'cliff,' literally meaning 'red cliff.' Historically used to identify people…

Rawlins

British surname

Easy (Ezekiel) Rawlins is the hard-boiled detective created by Walter Mosley.

Reade

Reade is a masculine name of English origin functioning as both a surname and given name. Derived from the Old English 'read' meaning 'red,' it was historically a nickname for someone with red hair…

Reading

English

"son of the red-haired"

Inventive way to honor a redheaded ancestor, though most people would mispronounce it reeding, making it sound to some kids like a school assignment: Redding is a preferable spelling.

Reynolds

English from German

"powerful counsel"

The surname Reynolds derived from the given name Reynold, which was common during the Middle Ages. Reynolds Woodcock was the name of the designer character played by Daniel Day Lewis in Phantom…

Richardson

Richardson is a masculine name with English origins, traditionally used as a surname meaning 'son of Richard.' Richard itself combines Germanic elements meaning 'powerful' and 'ruler,' making…

Ryse

Ryse is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a creative variant of Rise, reflecting upward movement and achievement, or a contemporary spelling of Rice or Rhys, which…

Sampson

Hebrew

"sun"

This name, once considered overly powerful due to the superhuman strength of the biblical figure, is now an option for parents in search of an unusual route to Sam. But you really don't need that p:…

Sanford

English

"sandy ford"

A dated fifties surname name that led to the nickname SAndy.

Seely

Seely is a masculine name with Old English origins, derived from the word 'sǣlig' meaning 'happy,' 'blessed,' or 'fortunate.' It existed primarily as a surname throughout medieval and modern history,…