Surname Rankl - Meaning and Origin
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Rankl: What does the surname Rankl mean?
The last name Rankl is of German origin (originally Ränkl) and is derived from the word and surname ‘Ranke’ meaning ‘pole’. This could refer to a person who lived on or near a pole or a distinguishing physical feature such as a hill or an area of high elevation. It could also be a nickname for a tall person.
Rankl was first recorded in Bavaria, Germany in the 13th century and was found in many parts of Europe by 1500, becoming quite common in some places.
Rankl may have been adopted as a surname for practical reasons, such as distinguishing members of the same extended family living in the same area or for location identification such as ‘Hans from the Ranke’. This could explain why some variations of this surname can be found in different parts of Germany.
The surname has evolved over the years, appearing in records in variant forms such as Rangel, Ranker, Renkal, and Rankle. Today, Rankl is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Rankl is an unusual surname that has unique origins. Most people with this last name likely share a common heritage, but each individual's story surrounding the name Rankl is unique.
Order DNA origin analysisRankl: Where does the name Rankl come from?
The surname Rankl is most commonly found in Austria and nearby regions of Central and Eastern Europe. The surname can also be found in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia. Records from as early as the 18th century have been found in the areas.
The Austrian city of Vienna is home to some of the earliest mentions of Rankl in the form of Josef Rankl, a priest in the city in the 1750s. It is believed that the name was originally derived from the Indo-European personal name "Ranulf." This name was adopted in Austria in the form of Rankl or Rankel.
In Austria today, the surname Rankl is very common and appears in many records from the 20th and 21st centuries. The density of the Rankl surname in Austria is especially high in the Federal State of Upper Austria, where it is the 243rd most common name.
Rankl is also considered an uncommon surname in the United States. Records from the 20th century were mostly made by immigrants from Austria or other Central European countries who brought the surname with them. As of 2020, there are an estimated 1,500 people with the Rankl surname living in the United States.
Variations of the surname Rankl
The surname Rankl is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname that originated in Eastern Europe. It is most likely derived from the Middle High German 'Rancke' or 'Ranke', meaning ‘vine stalk’. While the spelling and pronunciation of this surname may have changed over time, there are still several variants of the same origin.
One variant of Rankl is Rancke, with its own line of surnames. Common spellings can include Runke and Ronke. Other variants that could have the same origin are Ranke, Ranker, Rancke, Rankel and Rangel. All of these variant spellings could yield similar surnames, such as Rankle, Rancle, Rankell, Rangle, Rankerly and Rankin.
Another variant of Rankl is Renkel. This name is derived from a contraction of ron (praise) or victory, and keil (ball or pillar). Common surnames stemming from this root include Reynkel, Rankel, Rendel, Rundel and Rainkel.
The last variation of Rankl is Renckl, likely deriving from the word renke (spreading tree). Common spellings that arise from this root include Rankl, Renckle, Renguel, Rencklen, Rengl and Rengel.
In conclusion, the surname Rankl has many variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the same origin. Variants like Rancke, Rankel, Renkel, and Renckl can all yield similar last names, such as Rankle, Rancle, Rankell, and Rangle. Since then, the surname has evolved and changed, but its meaning and origin still stands.
Famous people with the name Rankl
- Marcus Rankl: musician and astrophysicist
- Gillian Rankl: award-winning Canadian author
- Leo Rankl: Austrian photographer and illustrator
- Albin Rankl: German painter and sculptor
- Andreas Rankl: Swiss-born American sculptor
- Friedrich Rankl: Austrian ophthalmologist
- Philipp Rankl: German performance artist
- Adam Rankl: American entrepreneur and tech innovator
- Martin Rankl: Austrian-American epidemiologist
- Albert Rankl: Austrian Expressionist artist