Rutley Family History
Rutley Name Meaning
English: apparently a habitational name from Great Rutleigh in Northlew (Devon) although this is recorded as Radeclive in medieval documents (see Ratliff ) and is not found as Rutleigh until as late as 1809. Surname evidence suggests that the placename may have already developed into Rutleigh during the 15th or 16th century. The placename derives from Old English rēad ‘red’ + clif ‘cliff bank steep slope’.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022