This interesting surname is almost certainly of English origin. It is recorded in many spellings including Utridge, Utteridge, Oatridge, Outridge, Outteridge, Otridge, and Otteridge, but however spelt the derivation is the same. It may appear to be locationa, from an out or oat ridge, but almost certainly is from an Old English pre 7th century personal name "Uhtric". This was composed of the elements "Uht" meaning "dawn" plus "ric" meaning powerful, and hence "dawn-power", although why anybody should be so called, is one of the mysteries of the ancient times. The surname dates back to the early 14th Century, (see below), and other early examples of recordings taken from surviving registers of the city of London include Jone Owtridge who married Henry Myles on April 12th 1574 at St. Martin Orgar, Ann, the daughter of John and Sarah Oatridge, who was christened on January 12th 1695 at St. Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, and Katherine, daughter of Robert and Rachaell Ottridge who was christened on December 30th 1695 at St. Anne's Soho. The very first recorded spelling of the family name in any form is possibly that of John Outrich. This was dated 1333, in the unpublished documents in the Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, for the reign of King Edward 111rd of England, 1327 - 1377. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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