Surname Runcieman - Meaning and Origin
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Runcieman: What does the surname Runcieman mean?
Runcieman is a surname of English and Welsh origin, and is believed to be an occupational name, derived from Old English or Welsh words. It was originally used to describe someone who was a runner. It is very similar to the word 'runte', which was also used to mean a runner, and it is likely that the two were confused in some cases, particularly due to regional variations in the spelling of the surname. The first recorded Runcieman was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1369, and appears in various other documents from that era in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. By the 1700s, the surname had spread to many parts of England, including Lancashire, and in the 19th century the name was also established in parts of Wales, particularly Monmouthshire. In modern times, Runcieman is found mainly in the United Kingdom, although small numbers of people bearing the surname can also be found in the United States, Canada, and other places around the world.
The Runcieman surname is believed to have several possible meanings. The original occupational meaning of a 'runner' has been suggested, as well as referring to someone who operates a machine, and the Welsh variation is believed to refer to someone who runs errands or is responsible for a particular task. It may have also been used to refer to someone who lived near a stream or river, or a 'runnelman'. The surname is now commonly recognized as a variation of the Runciman name, which is believed to come from the Old English words for 'runner' and 'man', or 'runte' and 'man'.
Order DNA origin analysisRuncieman: Where does the name Runcieman come from?
The last name Runcieman is most commonly found in Europe, particularly the Netherlands and Belgium. It is also seen in England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the Netherlands and Belgium it is of Dutch origin, and elsewhere it is likely of English or French origin. In 2019, the Netherlands had the most people with Runcieman as a last name, with an estimated 4,400 people having the name.
In the United States, the last name Runcieman is not as prominent. Currently, there are fewer than 1,000 people in the United States with the last name. It is mostly found in the states of California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan, with a few people living in other states.
In England, Runcieman is found in the southern part of the country, with the greatest concentration being in the cities of London, Bristol, and Oxford. Records suggest the name originated in England in the 19th century.
In Canada, the last name Runcieman is seen along the east coast, with most people living in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. There are also some people with this last name living in Alberta.
In Australia, Runcieman is most common in the city of Perth. There are also people living in the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Overall, the last name Runcieman is not very common, but it can be found in various countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Runcieman
The surname Runcieman is a variant or mis-spelling of the surname Runciman. It is also spelt Runkiman, Runckman, Ronckman, Runcman and Runcoman.
Other surnames which are likely to be related to the Runcieman family include Rungett, Runehm, Runck, Runtman or Rentman, Runeman (or Runman) and Runkey.
Runcieman is French in origin, derived from the French word 'ronce', meaning 'bramble'. It is believed to have been first used by a family of farmers, possibly living in Normandy, France in the late Middle Ages, many of whom were farmers cultivating lands near areas of dense bramble growth.
Another origin for Runcieman may be Dutch, as Runcieman is a popular Dutch surname, though this may be due to migration of French families to the Netherlands. Other Dutch spellings for the surname include Ronckman, Runckmann and Runkeman.
As is often the case, some spelling variations may have been due to a change in the pronunciation of the name over time, while others were due to incorrect English spellings by clerks or immigration officers when the family or individual immigrated to an English-speaking country.
The Runcieman surname is most common in the United States, where it is believed to have been brought by an immigrant ancestor in the 1700s.
Famous people with the name Runcieman
- John Runcieman: former comedy writer and producer, worked on shows such as Flight of The Conchords and The Office.
- Ruth Runcieman: researcher and professor at King’s College London, specialising in British Asian cultures.
- Shelley Runcieman: actress, known for her roles in TV series such as Call the Midwife and EastEnders.
- Melinda Runcieman: award-winning chef and restaurateur, founder of the highly praised Mango Tree restaurant in London.
- Sam Runcieman: Olympic athlete, specialising in 400m running and winning a gold and bronze medal in 2016 Rio games.
- Oliver Runcieman: journalist and social commentator, contributing journalist at The Guardian and The New Yorker, known for his thought-provoking essays on the current political situation.
- Alexander Runcieman: film director and producer, nominated for an Academy Award for his biopic of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- James Runcieman: architect and educator, known for his innovative use of modernist and postmodernist style of architecture.
- Kenneth Runcieman: physicist and Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics in 1985 for his distinguished work in the field of quantum electrodynamics.
- Jenny Runcieman: fashion designer, founder of British fashion house Smart Couture, well known for her glittering evening gowns.