Rodmell Family History

The surname is a variant of Rathmell. According to Redmonds Dictionary of Yorks Surnames, Thomas Routhmell was made a freeman of the city of York in 1521, as noted in the York Freemen's Register. Three years later, he was named as Thomas Rodemelle in the subsidy roll.

Redmonds also cites Ralph Radmille or Rodemell from 1598–1605 in the Parish Registers of Brandesburton, East Riding, Yorks. This indicates the historical evolution and variations of the surname over time.

The surname can be traced back to Rodmell in Sussex, which is recorded as Ramelle and Redmelle in 1086 and as Radmelde in 1200. The place-name likely derives from Old English rēad, meaning ‘red’, combined with *mylde, meaning ‘soil’ or ‘earth’.

Over the years, the surname has survived mainly in the form of Ramell, showcasing the linguistic and geographical shifts that have influenced its development.