Ridgeway

Ridgeway is a toponym and surname of English origin. The name is derived from ridge and way, describing a road or route that runs along a geographic ridge. As a place-based name, it is used in various English-speaking regions and appears in multiple historical and contemporary contexts.

The Ridgeway National Trail is the best-known use of the name in the United Kingdom. This long-distance path runs roughly 87 miles (140 kilometers) from Overton Hill in Wiltshire to Streatley on the River Thames in Berkshire. It traces chalk ridges across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire and follows ancient trackways that have been used since prehistoric times. The Ridgeway is often described as one of Britain’s oldest roads, reflecting its long-standing role as a route for trade, travel, and pilgrimage.

Other uses include the name Ridgeway as a geographic designation in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, it appears as a local place name in various parishes and districts. In the United States, Ridgeway is the name of several towns and communities in multiple states, reflecting the common migration and settlement patterns that carried English place names to North America.

As a surname, Ridgeway is found in English-speaking countries and is carried by individuals across diverse professions and communities. The name persists in genealogical records and contributes to regional family histories.