Surname Rite - Meaning and Origin
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Rite: What does the surname Rite mean?
The last name Rite is an occupational name derived from French. It is an Anglicized form of the word 'arite', which is related to the Old French word 'arriete', meaning 'top', and Latin 'aratrum', meaning 'plow'. This surname could have been given to persons who were farmers and used a plow, or to persons who lived on top of a hill or were heads of a village. It may also have been given to people of high rank in a village.
In the United States, this surname is most frequently found in the southern states such as South Carolina and Georgia where it is spelled as Write, and is of French Huguenot origin. Many people of the Rite surname are found in South Carolina, with the earliest documented ancestors arriving to America in the late 18th century.
This surname could also mean "right" and is derived from the Middle English word "riht(e)", which means "just, righteous". This surname could have been given to people who did not conform to the standards of their society, or it could mean that they were respected and regarded to be very just or noble.
The Rite surname is a very ancient one, deriving from two distinct sources, and could refer to either those who farmed or those who were of power and position. It is hard to say definitively what the surname Rite means, but it is likely to have been a mark of respect and social standing.
Order DNA origin analysisRite: Where does the name Rite come from?
The last name Rite appears to be quite common throughout the world today, having an origin that can be traced back to ancient Europe. In the United States, it is most common in the Midwest; particularly in states such as Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It can also be found in other places in North America and in Europe, particularly in Germany, France and the Czech Republic.
The exact origin of the last name Rite is not known for certain, but it is believed that it is likely a shortened form of the name "Riter." Riter is a German word meaning "ruler," and this would fit with the notion that the name was used to denote someone who held a position of power or had authority.
In England, the surname has been in existence since the 12th century and during this time period the surname was often spelled "Rite" or "Write." It later became a common last name in counties such as Suffolk and East Sussex.
The meaning of the last name Rite is uncertain; it could refer to an occupation, such as a soldier, or it could be used to refer to someone who performed religious ceremonies for the public. However, it is more likely that the surname was used to denote someone who had authority or held a position of power.
No matter the origin, it is clear that the surname Rite is still quite common today and has a long history. It has propagated around the world, especially thanks to German and British immigration, to become one of the more popular last names today.
Variations of the surname Rite
The surname Rite is a Middle English family name, most likely derived from the Old French name "Ride." Variations of this surname consist of Right, Reite, Record, Writ, Wright, Reith, Reight, Ryte and Ryght. It is often found spelled Rieth, Ryeth, Reythe and Ryte in old records.
The surname Rite is primarily found in England, Germany and Switzerland, where it originated as a status name for an accredited lawyer or an officer of the court. During the Middle Ages, persons holding such a post were highly respected and had the privilege of bearing arms. This surname would also have been assumed by one who acted as an arbitrator or messenger. The surname Rite is rarely used as a given name, but variations like Wright and Ryte were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In England, the name Rite seldom occurs outside of the county of Somerset, whereas the Wright variant is most commonly found in West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire. In Germany, the surname Rite is popular in the state of Saxony. Swiss records are more likely to yield the surname Reite.
Apart from being found as a family name, Rite is also found as an occupational name, derived from a person's job or residence. Variations include Writeman, Rightman, Reyther and Writacre. In Scotland, it is commonly found as Reecer.
The origins of Rite are amongst the earliest recorded surnames and its variants are still in use today. Despite the changing times and traditional spelling variations, this surname is still associated with a Roberts sense of law and justice.
Famous people with the name Rite
- Kirkland "Kirk" Rite: Professional MMA fighter competing in the heavyweight division.
- Cariba Heine: An Australian actress best known for her roles as Rikki Chadwick on the children's television show "H2O: Just Add Water" and as Klariza Clayton on the British teen series "Skins".
- Scott Ritesman: American diver who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the 3 m springboard event.
- Pedro Manuel Elías Rites: A Mexican footballer who played for several clubs throughout his career including Cruz Azul, CD Veracruz and Club América.
- Ted Rites: British rock singer, songwriter and producer who had a successful solo career in the 1980s.
- Ernesto Rites: Venezuelan professional boxer. He is a two-time world champion in the super-bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
- Carmen Rites: Spanish composer, pianist, conductor and music educator best known for work that centered on transcribing traditional Spanish music to a piano format.
- Augusto Rites: Spanish composer and conductor. He is known for conducting operettas and concert works, including being the musical director of the Teatro Irene in Madrid.
- David Rites: American trumpeter, conductor and educator, and a founding member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
- Pietro Rites: Italian opera composer, best known for his operas "Agnese" and "Giovanna d'Arco".