Surname Ramshaw - Meaning and Origin
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Ramshaw: What does the surname Ramshaw mean?
The surname Ramshaw is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has regional roots in Northern England, specifically in areas like Durham and Northumberland. The name is considered to be topographical, referring to people who lived in or near a "ram's wood" or "ram's grove". The Old English elements "ramm" (ram) and "sc(e)aga" (grove or wood) are said to have combined to give this surname. The name may have been given to people dwelling in areas marked by the presence of rams or a grove frequented by sheep. There is also a small village called Ramshaw in County Durham which could have contributed to the name's origins. Like many names of geographical or occupational origin, the surname Ramshaw was likely first used during the Middle Ages. As is evident, surnames often served as an important connection to someone's job, location, or family history.
Order DNA origin analysisRamshaw: Where does the name Ramshaw come from?
The last name Ramshaw is most often found in England. In the 1881 census, the highest concentration of people with this surname was in County Durham, which is located in northern England. The original spelling of the name was de Rameshaw, and it was found mainly in Durham’s counties along the Tees, Wear, and Tyne rivers. Since then, the name has spread to other parts of England and to other English-speaking countries. However, it is still mainly associated with England.
In other countries, the Ramshaw name is quite uncommon. In Australia, the only people with this surname are immigrants or distant descendants of immigrants from England. In the United States, the name can be found in many states, but it is much less common than in England.
Today, the name is still most common in the North East of England. In Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne & Wear counties, more than 1,000 people have the surname, and they largely populate small towns and villages. Many with this surname still work in traditional occupations, such as farming, weaving, and mining.
Variations of the surname Ramshaw
The surname Ramshaw is an English toponymic surname traditionally associated with the area of Durham and Northumberland in northern England. It is derived from the Old English words 'ram' meaning a flowery meadow and 'scaga' meaning wood.
Variants of the surname Ramshaw include Romshaw, Ramschey, Ramschewe and Ramshew. There are also a few spelling variations such as Ramsahw, Ramsay, Ramshey and Ramschoe.
The surname Ramschoe is a variant of the surname Ramshaw which is found in Germany and Switzerland. In France, the surname Ramschow is a variant of Ramshaw, and in Scotland a variant of Ramschoe, Ramsay is also found.
In the United States, other variants of the surname which have often been changed to Ramshaw include Ramseur, Ramsour and Ramsaur. The variants Ramsaur and Ramsour are especially common in the Southern United States.
The surnames Ramshaw, Romshaw and Ramsey might also be variations of the Irish surname Ramsey. In this case, the surnames have been anglicized over time. However, if the surname is of Irish origin it would be mostly found in Ireland as well as in some parts of Scotland.
In conclusion, Ramshaw is a surname with many variations in different languages and areas. Many of its variants are phonetically similar and have been changed to Ramshaw over the years due to cultural assimilation.
Famous people with the name Ramshaw
- Carole Ramshaw: English author, known for her 1984 book The Grace of Love.
- Bob Ramshaw: Professional Australian rugby league footballer, who played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 1973-1975.
- Vonnie Ramshaw: English female American football quarterback who played for the Newcastle Vikings from 2006-2008.
- Glen Ramshaw: British former professional cycling rider who won a bronze medal at the 1977 UCI World Championships in Valkenburg.
- Mark Ramshaw: Canadian Olympic long-distance runner, who competed in the 10,000-meter event at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
- Eddie Ramshaw: English former footballer who played for Stockport County from 1998-2001.
- Jane Ramshaw: British poet, author and artist, known for her works such as Climb and Rest (2009) and Here Be Dragons (2011).
- John Ramshaw: Former English cricketer who played for Warwickshire from 1934-1936.
- Stephen Ramshaw: British sculptor, ice-skater and photographer, renowned for his sculptures such as the Wing of Destiny (2005).
- Carl Ramshaw: British former weightlifter, who competed and won at the Commonwealth Games in 2006.