Surname Ragsdall - Meaning and Origin

Ragsdall: What does the surname Ragsdall mean?

The surname Ragsdall doesn't have a specific, universally recognized meaning as it appears to be quite uncommon and does not have clear origins in widely studied languages or cultures. Like many surnames, it could potentially be derived from a geographical location, profession, or ancestor's name. It is important to note that the spelling of surnames have often changed over centuries, and Ragsdall may be a variant of another name. Surnames can also be influenced by regional dialects and accents, which can alter the spelling and pronunciation over time. Therefore, to understand the meaning, it would require personal family history research, possibly including genetic testing or genealogical records. An exact meaning might not be found due to factors such as migration, cultural assimilation, and the passing of time. While there are established meanings for many common surnames, those that are less prevalent can be more challenging to definitively translate or explain.

Ragsdall: Where does the name Ragsdall come from?

The last name Ragsdall is most commonly seen in England today, particularly in the areas of Devon, Gloucestershire, and Hampshire south of London. It has been present in these regions for centuries and is believed to have its roots in Old English.

The surname is thought to derive from the name ‘Ragsdale’, which itself can be traced back to ‘ragasdael’ - a place where rags were sold. This would have been an area of common land, likely a trade route or a marketplace, where people living in poverty could trade items, including material like sacks, for their livelihood.

Over time, the name began to be used as a surname, and it is now seen as a fairly uncommon last name - particularly in Devon, Gloucestershire, and Hampshire. It is estimated that there may be between 500 to 1000 people with this last name living in the United Kingdom today.

The surname did, however, travel to other countries due to immigration, with people settling in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US in particular, the last name is seen more frequently, particularly in the states of California, Florida, New York, and Texas.

Variations of the surname Ragsdall

Ragsdall is a fairly uncommon surname, appearing only occasionally in records. It is of English origin. Variants of the surname include Ragdale, Ragsdale, Raggadall, Raggdale, Ragdall, and Ragsdael.

Ragdale is likely the most commonly used variant, and is believed to be an originally topographical name, derived from a place near Southwell and Colston Basset, Nottinghamshire, which was written as Radesdala in the Domesday Book of 1086. Ragsdael (which is the Dutch form of the name) could also be found in certain circumstances.

Of the spelling variants, Raggadal appears to be the most unusual. It is believed to have originated from the English dialect word 'rag' meaning 'to choose' or 'to select', thus suggesting that the original bearer of the name was someone who was chosen or selected by their peers.

The variant Ragdall can be found mainly in records of the East Midlands region of England. It is derived from an Old English personal name Rægdæl which literally means "Ræg's dale".

Finally, Ragsdale is a variant of the name that occurs mainly in North America and is clearly of British origin. It is likely to be a variant of the surname Ragdale, linking the original bearer to a manor in the above-mentioned Nottinghamshire. In this case, the name would mean someone who lived near the Ragsdale Manor.

Famous people with the name Ragsdall

• Kyle Ragsdall: Professional Golfer
• Robert Ragsdall: A criminal defense attorney based in California
• Howard Ragsdall: An American politician from New York
• Eric Ragsdall: A professional soccer player
• Sarrah Ragsdall: An actress and director
• Julian Ragsdall: A journalist and media consultant
• Bruce Ragsdall: A retired professor of religious studies
• Jay Ragsdall: A fashion and media consultant
• William Ragsdall: A teacher, wellbeing coach and vegan cafe owner
• Ashton Ragsdall: A business owner and entrepreneur

Other surnames

Ragsdale