Ritter Family History

Recorded in England as Rider and Ryder, and in Germany as Retter and Ritter, this is a surname of two possible meanings. The first is from the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic pre 7th century word "ridere", itself from ridan, meaning to ride, and as such an occupational surname given originally to a mounted warrior or 'cnit', the modern knight. In England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and the introduction of the feudal system, rider or ryder described a messenger, whilst knight became a status name and described a landed tenant, one who was bound to serve his lord as a mounted soldier.

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Tell us about any famous Ritter (or surname variant) you think we should add here. We will get our genealogists to check them out and add them to the list. Thanks!

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Sara

I heard that my birth grandmother's name was Susan Ritter who lived in Indiana in the 1960's. I have no way of locating her but if her name rings a bell to any of you Ritter's out there I would love to hear from you!

Heinrich Ritter

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