Surname Ranulph - Meaning and Origin

Ranulph: What does the surname Ranulph mean?

The name "Ranulph" is of English and Norse origins. It is derived from the Old Norse name "Rǫgnvaldr," which literally translates to "judgment power." This name comes from combination of two elements: "regn" or "rǫgn" means "advice", "decision", "might" or “counsel", and "valdr" meaning "power", "ruler" or "leader". Therefore, the surname "Ranulph" can be interpreted as "powerful advice" or "mighty leader". This name was popular among Scandinavian and northern English royal and noble families. Its various forms include Ragnvald, Reynold, and Reginald.

Ranulph: Where does the name Ranulph come from?

The last name Ranulph is a common name found in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. The origins of the name can be traced back to the ancient Norman rulers of England. The Ranulph name is derived from two elements: the French word 'Ran' which means ruler and the old German word 'Wulf' which means wolf. It essentially means 'wolf-ruler'.

In the UK, Ranulph is most prevalent in the East of England, particularly in Essex, where it is ranked at number 2048 out of the 88,798 last names recorded in the last census. The name is also popular in Europe, particularly in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Ranulph is also common in both the United States and Canada. In the US it is ranked at 3777 out of 88,799 surnames and in Canada, it is ranked at 16,125 out of 155,078 surnames.

Ranulph is an old Norman name which remains quite popular today in the UK, various parts of Europe, and and North America. It is widely used as both a given and a surname, and is thought to bring a sense of leadership and power to the bearer.

Variations of the surname Ranulph

The Ranulph surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations of the name can appear in many different spelling variations, including Raenulphus, Ratulphus, Raneulphus, Rannulphus, Rannulve, Rannul, Rannulf, Rannulfus, Rannulfo, Rannulph, Ralph, Rolph, and Ranulf. The variations of this name have been known through many generations and appear in records from medieval times.

Variations of Ranulph most commonly occurred when people were careless or illiterate when recording either their surnames or the names of their ancestors. Changes in phonetic spelling of the surname are also seen. Additionally, regional dialects of the language and particularities of spelling between different languages can cause this name to be spelt differently.

The Latin origin of the name Ranulph is from the Old German words “Ragin” and “Wulf” which translated into “judgement of the wolf”. It was either a nickname or a baptismal name taken from the Old German words “Ragin” and “Wulf.”

The Ranulph name is also used as a first or middle name, particularly among the English. In other countries, the Ranulph name is commonly anglicized, such as the Rolph in Germany or the Ralph in France.

Many other surnames, such as Randolf and Randolph, are derived from Ranulph, and have their own variations as well. Other variants of the surname include Rannulf, Rennulf, Rannulfo, Ranulf, Rannulfus, Ratsulphus, Raneulphus, Ratulphus, Ralph, and Rolph.

Surnames of the same origin include Ranolf, Rainulf, Randolf, Ranulv, Rannalf, Raynulfus, and Rennulfus. Surnames that are variants of these origin surnames include Raynolf, Rainol, Rannulv, Raynulf, Rannolfo, Raneulf, Ratnolf, Rantically, Raneulv, Ratulfo, Rently, Rannolf, Raylon, Ranfill, and Ratulpho.

Famous people with the name Ranulph

• Ranulph Fiennes: Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (commonly known as Ranulph Fiennes or simply Ran), is a British adventurer, writer, and holder of several endurance records.
• Ranulph de Gernon: Ranulph de Gernon (also Ranulf or Ralph) was an Anglo-Norman nobleman and a possible companion of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
• John de Dreux Ranulph: John de Dreux Ranulph was an 11th-century Norman nobleman who owned a large number of properties across northern England.
• Ranulph de Workington: Ranulph de Workington was an 11th-century Englishman who was the father of Henry de Meschines (also known as Henry FitzCount).
• Ranulph le Meschin: Ranulph le Meschin was an 11th-century Anglo-Norman nobleman who was the father of William le Meschin, Baron of Cumberland.
• Johanna of Ranulph: Johanna of Ranulph (also known as Johanna, Lady of Ranulph or Lady Johanna of Ranulph) was a 13th-century countess of both Essex and Norfolk in England.
• Ranulph Moundeville: Ranulph Moundeville (Ranulf de Moundeville) was an English knight and one of the original Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
• Ranulph Crawe: Ranulph Crawe (also Rafe or Ralph Crawe) was an English knight and scholar, who served in France as one of Edward III's Close Sergeants during the Hundred Years' War.

Other surnames

RanulfRanulphus