Surname Rankel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rankel: What does the surname Rankel mean?
The last name Rankel is of German origin, likely derived from the personal name Ranicho, which would ultimately be derived from the Germanic elements "rand" meaning "rim" or "border" and "hilde" meaning "battle". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was likely a warrior or border guard.
In Germanic communities during the Middle Ages, surnames often denoted a particular profession or social status. The fact that the original bearer was a warrior suggests that the name was primarily used by those of the warrior class. Throughout its use, Rankel has likely been used as both a given name and a surname; this pattern is common among Germanic names.
The popularity of the Rankel name spread beyond Germany and Austria. Today, individuals bearing the last name can be found in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America. In the U.S., the name is most popular in the states of Texas, New York, and North Carolina.
No matter where people with the name are or when it was first used, the name Rankel has remained associated with the same meanings—a sense of loyalty, courage, and strength. In addition, the fact that it is an odd name has meant that it is quite unique and memorable.
Order DNA origin analysisRankel: Where does the name Rankel come from?
Rankel is a surname that is mostly found in Germany and Austria. It has been suggested that the name is derived from the Old German "Rand" meaning "rim" or "border", which could identify someone from a border region. In Germany, the name is found mostly in the north, especially in Hamburg and Bremen, as well as in the South, including Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In Austria, the name is most commonly seen in the areas of Vienna and Styria.
Due to the large number of German emigrants who left their home country during the 20th century, it is possible to find the name Rankel beyond its home countries. For example, the name appears in the United States census records from the early 20th century, though it is not particularly common in the US today. There are also Rankels living in other countries like Canada, Argentina, and Brazil, though it is still very rare.
Overall, the surname Rankel is not particularly common in any region or country. However, due to German emigration in the past and the growing popularity of genealogy, it is possible to find Rankel families around the world.
Variations of the surname Rankel
Rankel is a German surname which has several variants, alternates spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Ranke, which is sometimes spelled as Rank, Ranck, Rankle, Rankl and Rankel. The surname is also sometimes seen in the forms Rancke, Rangel and Rankell.
Variations of the Rankel surname have been found in parts of Bavaria, Prussia, France, Austria and Poland. Research has uncovered records for the surname dating back to the 16th century in parts of Germany.
In addition to the above variations, the surname has several other possible spelled forms. These include Rancken, Ranckel, Ranken, Ranker, Ränkel, Ränkner, Ränkle and Rengel.
The meaning of the Rankel surname is disputed among genealogists, though most agree that it is derived from the German words “ranke” or “rankeman”, meaning “mercantile” or “commercial”. It is believed that the name likely originated as an occupational name for a merchant, although it may also have been derived from the Old High German words meaning “to border” or “to reach”, referring to a location near a border.
Another possibility is that the surname originated from the name Rangen, a toponymic referring to a town in south-central Germany. It is thought that the primary bearer of this surname in Europe was a man named Gotscal Rangen, who is believed to have lived in the vicinity of the town in the 15th century.
Although there are many possible variants and spellings of the Rankel surname, due to the flexibility of Germanic languages it is wise to trace the surname through its many possible forms in order to ensure that a comprehensive search was conducted.
Famous people with the name Rankel
- Will Rankel: American disc golfer who won the US Amateur Disc Golf Championships in 2002 and 2007.
- Dejan Rankel: Slovenian freestyle skier, who competed in the 2006 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Kirill Rankel: Popular Russian singer, YouTube star, and actor.
- Chris Rankel: Former NFL defensive tackle.
- Milton Rankel: American farmer, civil engineer, and politician.
- Douglas Rankel: Former MLB pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox and Montreal Expos.
- Libby Rankel: 2019 Miss Minnesota USA beauty pageant winner.
- Kerry Rankel: Professional dancer and choreographer.
- Silas Rankel: Former collegiate basketball player for the Long Beach State 49ers.
- Brett Rankel: Major league pitcher who was drafted by the Reds in 2012.