Surname Ranft - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Ranft: What does the surname Ranft mean?
The last name Ranft is a German surname of regional origin. It is derived from the German elements "rand," which means "border," and "fort," meaning "fortified area," hence "fortified area at the border.” This surname was likely first held by someone living near or guarding a boundary or frontier.
Ranft as a surname can be traced back to the late 1400s, when it was first mentioned in documents as a name that was associated with the region at the Maigo, a river in Germany. During this time, it was most likely a name given to those families who lived near this region and were tasked with protecting its borders. This could have been either a protective or military duty.
Since its origins, the surname has been primarily found in western Germany, although it also appears in the United States, Canada, and Australia today. In addition, there are variants of the surname, such as Rahnf, Rhanft, Rahnft, and Ranf, due to frequent changes in spelling over time.
Despite its German origin, the meaning of the name Ranft has remained mostly unchanged since its early days; it is still a reminder of someone living near or guarding a border or frontier.
Order DNA origin analysisRanft: Where does the name Ranft come from?
The last name Ranft is most commonly found in Germany, with the highest concentration of people bearing that name in the states of Bavaria and Brandenburg. It is also present in smaller numbers in surrounding countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the name is found in greater numbers in the Midwestern, Eastern and Northeastern regions. In particular, there is a larger population of individuals with the last name Ranft located in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Michigan than in other regions of the country. The frequency of the name in these areas is likely due to the migration of German-speaking people from Europe to the United States.
Other countries where the last name Ranft is found with various frequencies include Canada, Denmark, Latvia, Finland, and Sweden.
In terms of its etymology, the last name Ranft likely signifies a person who originally lived in or near a gorge, ravine, or similar natural formation. It is derived from the Old German words 'ranuch', 'ronne', or 'ran', which mean “ravine”.
Variations of the surname Ranft
The surname Ranft is German in origin and is derived from the Middle High German term 'ranft'. It is an occupational name for someone in an office or council.
Variations and spellings of the surname Ranft include Ranf, Ranffer, Ranfferd, Ranfft, Rannf, Rannft, Rannfte, Rannt, Rant, Rante, Ranftt, Rantf and Ranftl.
Variations of the surname Ranft can be seen in other European countries, such as France, where it is spelled Ranfts; Austria, where it is spelled Ranftl or Ranfftl; and Latvia, where it is spelled Ranfts.
Surnames of similar origin include Rauten, Rent, Renten, Ronten, Ronts, Rondt, Rondts and Rondtel. However, these surnames may not be directly related to the surname Ranft. It is possible that they are related to a different Middle High German term, such as ' ronden', which means ' to roar'.
Overall, the surname Ranft is of German origin and has a variety of spellings and variants in other European countries. Variations include Ranf, Rannf, Rannt, Rant, Rante, Ranftl and Ranfts. Surnames of similar origin include Rauten, Rent, Renten, Ronten, Ronts, Rondt, Rondts and Rondtel.
Famous people with the name Ranft
- Joe Ranft: film director, animator and screenwriter.
- Don Ranft: Broadway actor and producer.
- Thalia Ranft: Dutch sculptor and songwriter.
- Alan Ranft: an American actor, screenwriter, producer and director.
- Robert Ranft: American actor, comedian and voice-over artist.
- Sally Ranft: American film editor and director.
- John Ranft: American producer and screenwriter.
- Philip Ranft: American medical doctor, professor and psychoanalyst.
- Roger Ranft: Danish comedian, composer, lyricist, singer and playwright.
- David Ranft: German record producer, composer and sound engineer.