"There are two explanations for the origin of the English surname Rue and its variants LaRue, DeLaRue, and Rew," alleges the Historical Research Center, Inc., a commercial outfit which sells calligraphed certificates depicting interesting and sometimes plausible surname derivations. "Firstly, the name is ultimately of French origin," HRC states authoritively, "having been introduced into England during the Norman French invasion of 1066." (This statement doesn't apply to our RUE line, which originated in France and is not known to have ever passed through England.)
HRC continues: "It is of local origin, that is, derived from a particular geographical feature, either man made or natural, near which the original bearer once lived or held land. In this case, the name is derived from the Old French word "rue" originally meaning 'brack, pathway' but which, in time, also came to denote 'main street or road.' Therefore, the name indicates 'one who lived near a pathway or main street.'
"Alternatively, the name is a variant of Rew and of either local or
toponymic origin. In this instance, the name is derived from the Old English
'raew' which in Middle English [here we go again with the English 
] became 'rew,' meaning "hedgerow or row of houses built next to one another." Thus the name denotes `one who dwelled near a hedgerow or a row of houses' or 'one who came from Rewe,' the name of a
place in Devonshire.
"The earliest record of this surname or a variant dates back to the
thirteenth century, when one Robert ale Rewe was recorded in Colchester in
1297," HRC claims. "William in the rew is listed in the 'Subsidy Rolls' of Somerset in 1327 and John Rewe was registered at the University of Oxford in 1603. One baptism of Anne, daughter of John Rew, took place in St. James, Clerkenwell in 1677 and Alex Rew and Elizabeth Wright were married in St. George, Hanover Square, London in 1789." This is interesting. If our genealogical line were English, not French, the explanation might even apply. Let's take a different thread.
Ruta graveolens, or rue, is reputed to have magical qualities. Called the herb of grace, Rue has been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years. Its generic name, Ruta, derives from a Greek word meaning "to set free," indicating ancient belief in its potency in relieving maladies and illnesses. The nickname "herb of grace" lends holy connotations to the herb. Brushes made from rue were, at on etime, used to sprinkle holy water at the ceremony preceding High Mass. It has also been called the "herb of Repentance," presumably because of this same use. Opelia, in Hamlet refers to this use of the herb when she says, "There's rue for you and here's some for me; we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays." Presumably, the herb's use in the Church led many during the Middle Ages to believe it was a powerful defense against the malevolent uses of magick. Rue was commonly used to ward off spells. It is said that rue was the herb given by Mercury to Ulysses to free him from the charms of the witch Circe.
Rue has been regarded from the earliest times as successful in warding off contagious diseases, including the Black Death, and preventing the attacks of fleas and other noxious insects. For ages, rue was an important part of the bunch of aromatic herbs carried by judges into court against the fevers, diseases and pests prisoners tended to pick up in the jails. It was often strewn in the court, and sprigs of rue were placed on the dock benches to disinfect them. One interesting recipe, by Gerard, for a disinfecting paste made from rue: "The leaves of rue eaten with the kernels of Walnuts or figs stamped together and made into a masse or paste, is good agains all eville aires, the pestilence, or plague."
Some ancient writers asserted that rue "bestows second sight," and also preserves ordinary sight by strengthening the ocular muscles. One common use for rue is as a tonic with sedative qualities, and as a stimulant for the circulation. It is also taken to prevent aging.
Rue leaves placed on the forehead relieve headaches, according to Scott Cunningham, or worn around the neck, aid in recuperation from illnesses and ward off future health problems. It is sometimes added to healing incences and poppets. "Fresh rue, sniffed, clears the head in love matters and also improves mental processes," Cunningham claims. He continues:
Rue, added to baths, breaks all hexes and curses that may have been cast against you, and it is also added to exorcism incenses and mixtures. It is protective when hung up at the door or placed in sachets, and the fresh leaves rubbed on the floor-boards sends back any ill spells send against you. The Romans ate rue as a preservative against the evil eye, and the plant was also carried to guard the bearer from poisons, werewolves, and all manner of ills. A sprig of fresh rue is used as a sprinkler to distribute salt water throughout the house. This clears it of negativity.
Mix fresh rue juice with morning dew and sprinkle in a circle around you while performing magical acts for protection...
Rue is another plant said to grow best when stolen, and indeed its presence in the garden beautifies and protects it. For some reason toads have an aversion to rue, however
(pp. 191-192).
As for the actual derivation of the surname Rue, one guess is that it was taken by a Frenchman who lived in or near the street.
Sources and Links
Historical Research Center, Inc. (1992), Surname "Rue."
Cunningham, Scott (1991). Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs Llewellyn: St. Paull, Minn., ISBN 0-87542-374-4.
Hylton, William H. (1974). The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature's Miracle Plants, Rodale Press: Emmaus, Penna., ISBN 0-87857-076-4.
Grieve, Maude (1931). The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature's Miracle Plants, Dover Publications, ISBN 0-48622-798-7.
