Surname Ranfft - Meaning and Origin
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Ranfft: What does the surname Ranfft mean?
The last name Ranfft is a German surname with several possible origins. It can be derived from the German word “ranf”, meaning a shelter, a refuge, or a hideout (usually in forests or mountains). Additionally, Ranfft may be derived from the Middle Low German word “ranft”, meaning a border, a boot, or a shelter. It could also be derived from the geographical region of Ranft, located in the Eifel mountain region of Germany.
The surname Ranfft is believed to represent an original set of ancestral roots from this central area of Germany. It could have been given to or adopted by a family which was native to the area or which settled in the mountain region to make a living. The use of the name in the 16th century to designate a family emanating from the Ranft region indicates that it was likely in use for much longer before becoming a surname.
Today, the origin and meaning of the surname Ranfft is probably only significant to those who are directly descended from the original family or from families which have adopted the name. For the rest of us, the name can still serve as a reminder of a distant heritage and of a family's journey across Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisRanfft: Where does the name Ranfft come from?
The last name Ranfft is currently most concentrated in Germany, though variations such as Ranf, Rahpt, and Ranft can also be found in some other countries. It is an occupational surname made up of a combination of elements that transmit a meaning of "ploughman". Therefore, it is believed to have derived from Middle High German words for ploughman's craft or trade.
Within Germany, Ranfft can be found in the highest concentrations in the East of Germany - Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt. Higher than average concentrations of the surname can also be located in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.
Ranfft is thought to have spread to other countries as descendants of those in Germany emigrated overseas during the 16th and 17th centuries. Though the surname is uncommon in the United States, it can be found in small numbers in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Although the last name is rare in the United Kingdom, recent records show that there is a small number of Ranfft households located in England and Scotland. The surname also appears to be present in Belgium, France, and Sweden.
As the surname continues to evolve, spellings may differ from region to region; nevertheless, the most frequently occurring version remains Ranfft.
Variations of the surname Ranfft
Ranfft is a German surname which denotes descent from an ancestor named Randolf or Randhard, suggesting an origin in northern Germany. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Ranfft are Randolf, Randhard, Ranft, Rahn, Rack, Raab, Rahlf, Ramf, Rahne, Rahnfe, Rankings, Rangknif, Rangknoff, Ramholf, Ranke, Ramfels, Ransfel, and Rankkinen.
The first form recorded was Ranfft, present in Germany since the 12th century. The form Randolf also appeared early and was present in Germany since at least the 1300s. The spelling of this name often varied as records kept were generally produced by individuals who were unfamiliar with standard spelling conventions.
Variations of the Ranfft surname include the Ancient German forms Rantolf and Rantulf, which later evolved to spellings such as Randf and Rantz in the south of Germany; Randel and Renf in eastern Germany; and Ranff in northern Germany. The variation Rahn became popular in parts of Austria and Germany. In central Germany, the spelling often changed to Raab and Rahlf.
The surname Ranfft has also gained disciples abroad, in some instances taking on a different spelling. In the Scandinavian countries, Ranfft is known as Rankin, while in Finland, it is Ranwho and Rankkinen. Samples from other countries include Ranko (in Serbia and Croatia) and Rancf (in Ukraine).
In conclusion, the surname Ranfft has many spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin, ranging from the Ancient German forms of Rantolf and Rantulf to the more modern form Ranwho present in Finland. There are many other spellings and surnames related to the same origin in different countries around the world, even though the most common variant is the present-day Ranfft.
Famous people with the name Ranfft
- Anneliese Ranfft, German opera singer
- Barbara Ranfft, German Olympic athlete
- Ferdinand Ranfft, German painter
- Raphael Ranfft, Swiss Paralympian
- Franziska Ranfft, German artist
- Eugen Ranfft, German musicologist
- Riccardo Ranfft, German photographer
- Alexander Ranfft, German professional athlete
- Johann Ranfft, German entomologist
- Ludwig Ranfft, German botanist
- Hans Ranfft, German engineer
- Gustaf Ranfft, Finnish architect
- Erwin Ranfft, Dutch Olympic sailor
- Principessa Elisabeth Ranfft, German noblewoman
- Christian Ranfft, German historian
- Ernst Ranfft, German taxonomist
- Günther Ranfft, German air force officer