Why was the sport called Rugby?

Answer 1

It was an accidental occurrence where a young student of Rugby School was playing football (Soccer) in 1823. IN those days the rule was a player could kick a ball in any direction but could handle the ball to pass backward to a team player - they could not run forward with the ball in hand. Web-Ellis, the student decided that He would run forward with the ball. This was used by other players and the game developed . Later in the 1800's the football associated decided that handling would be outlawed. Many colleges and clubs were developing using the carry ball forward rule. These broke away from the newly forming football associated and started the Union of rugby clubs - "Rugby Union"

Answer 2

The name is derived form the Town and School the game is claimed to have been developed. The story of Webb-Ellis, a 15 year old student of Rugby School, Warwickshire in England UK states that during a game of what was then football (Soccer) William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran to the opposing sides goal line. The game developed from there in to the international sport it is today