Surname Ranftel - Meaning and Origin
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Ranftel: What does the surname Ranftel mean?
Ranftel is an occupational German surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘ranft’, which means ‘cistern’. This surname most likely originated as a name given to a person who worked or lived near a cistern. It is also possible that the name was given to a diver or a person who worked in a tank or basin of some kind.
The Ranftel surname is most commonly found in German-speaking regions, but it is also known in other parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the Midwestern and Northeastern regions.
In the United States, the surname is spelled 'Ranftal', 'Ranftel', 'Ranftill', 'Ranftilde', and 'Ranftl'. It is unclear if the spelling differences are due to regional dialects or intentional changes made to the surname over time.
The original spelling of Ranftel still exists in some pockets of Central and Northern Europe and is found on English-language church records and parish registers from the late 16th century and early 17th century.
Ranftel is a unique surname with an interesting history. It's a testament to the diversity of name origins in Europe today and serves as a reminder of those who came before us and shaped the continent as we know it.
Order DNA origin analysisRanftel: Where does the name Ranftel come from?
The last name Ranftel is not particularly common today with only about 500 recorded occurrences in the USA according to the 2020 US Census. It can be found primarily in the upper Midwest and Mountain West regions of the country. There is a higher concentration of the name in Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho, as well as a few scattered occurrences throughout the rest of the United States.
It is not clear exactly when the surname originated; however, the name may be German in origin or could have been brought over from other European countries. Although it is a somewhat rare name today, it is believed that several generations ago the name may have been more widespread, given the numerous occurrences throughout the Midwest and Mountain West regions.
The surname is quite unique and it is suggested that anyone bearing this name likely has connections to family members from the same specific area. This could mean that the name has been around continuously for generations, starting as far back as when those regions were first being settled in the early 19th century.
Variations of the surname Ranftel
Ranftel is a rare German surname with numerous variant spellings, including Ranftle, Ranftele, Ranftl, Vranftl, Raftl, and Vanftl. In some cases, the spelling can be written without the umlaut, making it Ranftel. It is derived from the Middle High German name "Ranft," meaning "raven," and the suffix "-le," which is a diminutive.
Historically, the Ranftel surname was most common in High German-speaking areas of southern Germany, particularly the Bavarian region and Switzerland. During the 19th century, with the migration of many families to the United States, the name became more spread out across the country.
This rare surname appears in many surname lists from around the world, including those of the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, and Sweden. There are some variations to the theme of Ranftel, including the Bernese name Ratfel and the Dutch name Rantfel.
In some cases, the surname has been anglicised, transforming into the surnames of Rantfel, Ranft, and Rantoul. The last two particularly common in the United States. There are also some rare spellings of Ranftel, such as Räntfl and Ranflet.
In conclusion, Ranftel is a rare German surname with numerous variants, spellings, and anglicised versions. While it is mostly associated with southern Germany and Switzerland, there are many other countries where variations of this surname can be found.
Famous people with the name Ranftel
- Charlie Ranftel: Actor in the 1980s who starred in cult-horror films Nightmares and Chopping Mall.
- Joe Ranftel: American storyboard artist, animator, voice actor, writer and producer, best known for his work on Disney animated films.
- Lena Ranftel: German fashion designer and actress who rose to fame after partnering with Karl Lagerfeld in 1984.
- Anna Ranftel: Swedish artist known for her abstract, surrealist-inspired paintings.
- Heinz Ranftel: German sculptor and painter, a prominent figure in expressionism.
- Klaus Ranftel: Austrian musician and composer, heavily involved in the Austrian jazz scene.
- Wolfgang Ranftel: Austrian classical composer, best known in the USA for his Campana Romana.
- Markus Ranftel: German architect and urban planner; designer of Berlin’s Ostend bunker.
- Leopold Ranftel: Austrian-born, Swiss Jewish philosopher, most well-known for his study of metaphysics.
- Willy Ranftel: Austrian-born Australian soccer player, who represented Australia in the 1952 Summer Olympics.