Russell Square. After Lord William Russell, the patriot, whose wife, Rachel, was the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Marquis of Tavistock, Duke of Bedford, the ancestor of the present great ground landlord. The several streets of the same name are included in the estate.
Russell Street. In Bermondsey, after Richard Russell, a noted benefactor to the parochial charities during his life, and after his death in 1784. For other streets so denominated on the Bedford estate see “[Russell Square].”
Russia. The country of the Russ, the tribe that first overran it.
Rutland. A corruption of the Anglo-Saxon Rothland, “red land,” so called on account of the colour of its soil.
Rutland Gate. After the town mansion of the Dukes of Rutland.
Rye Lane. Leads to “Peckham Rye.”
Ryot. A Hindoo peasant or cultivator of the soil, so called from the Arabic raaya, to pasture.
S
Sabbatarians. The followers of Brabourne, a Baptist minister, who held that the real Sabbath was the seventh day of the week, as enunciated in the Book of Genesis. This sect arose in 1628. Also known as “Seventh Day Baptists.”
Sabeans. The first idolaters, worshippers of the sun, moon, and stars as the visible representations of the Deity; so called after Sabi, the son of Seth.