Surname Ranck - Meaning and Origin

Ranck: What does the surname Ranck mean?

The last name Ranck is thought to derive from the Middle High German word 'runke', meaning 'leading'staff'. This denotes a person who held a position of authority, either in the military, civic or religious realms.

The Ranck name is associated with numerous locations throughout Germany, Austria, Holland and Belgium. In Germany, it is connected with numerous places, including Rancken, Rancke and Ranckenmühle. It is possible that, in many of these cases, this was simply the localised spelling of the family name.

In terms of immigration, it is thought that many members of the Ranck family left Europe to settle in the US, mainly during the 19th century Great Migration. Subsequently, the Ranck name can be found in numerous US states, particularly in Pennsylvania and Maryland, where many Ranck family members settled.

Overall, the Ranck family name is thought to have first been established in Germany and is widely found throughout Europe and the US, where numerous Ranck family members migrated during the 19th century.

Ranck: Where does the name Ranck come from?

Ranck is a German surname that is mostly common in parts of Germany and the surrounding countries. It is also found in some parts of the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe. In Germany, the name is predominantly found in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. Additionally, the name is common in Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. In the United States, it is most common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Kentucky.

Ranck is an old-fashioned name, and there isn't a lot known about its etymology. One popular theory is that the name is derived from the term "rankweil" which means 'to dwell.' Another possible origin is the Old English word rænc which translates to 'tariff.' It could have possibly been used as an occupational or toponymic surname in Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

Additionally, Ranck is a fairly common name in the United States. It is particularly common in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Data from the US Census indicates that there are 4,200 people who bear the Ranck surname in the United States. It is mostly associated with German, Irish, and English individuals.

Variations of the surname Ranck

The surname Ranck has a variety of spellings and variants, as well as other surnames of the same origin. These different spellings and surnames include Ranke, Renk, Rancke, Rance, Rank, Rankin, Rankine, Ranken, Rankine, Rankines, Ranken, Ranchn, Rancks, Rankes, Rankins, Raink, Ranckes, Ranken and Rankem.

Ranck is an old German and English surname derived from the Middle High German "Rank" or "Ranc" meaning "proud, haughty". It is also possible the surname may have been derived from a nickname, given to a person perceived to have a rank or measure of importance.

The spelling of the surname has changed depending on where the family resided. Spellings of Ranck in Germany during the 1500s include Rancke and Renke. Variants of Ranck have been found in the records of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, where the spelling would be Rank, Rance, Rankin, Rankine, and Ranken. In Scotland, Thompson-Rankin and Rankins are the most common variants.

The Ranck spelling can be combined to form hyphenated surnames, such as Byrn-Ranck, Stengel-Ranck, which reflects a combination of surnames found in the same family.

In the United States, the surname Ranck is often incorrectly found spelled as Ranckle or Ranlke. These misspellings are usually simply the result of an error on the part of the person recording the name.

Famous people with the name Ranck

• Jolee Ranck: American actress known for her roles in films such as The Fugitive, Air Force One, and Contact.
• Sarah Ranck: A children’s author who wrote The Monster With the Big, Green Foot and other stories.
• Anna Ranck: A contemporary abstract artist who creates 3D prints and sculptures.
• Daniel Ranck: An actor and singer who has appeared in Broadway productions such as Groundhog Day and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
• Anton Ranck: A German physician who made major contributions to the fields of pathophysiology and medical genetics.
• John Ranck: A noted mid-century American painter.
• Lawrence Ranck: A family name shared by the founders of Ranck Plumbing Supply, a heating and cooling company based in Ohio.
• Thomas Ranck: An American astronaut and Navy pilot who flew on the space shuttle Discovery mission STS-39.
• Richard Ranck: An American cinematographer and television director who won an Emmy Award for his work on the show Jane the Virgin.
• Matthew Ranck: An American football official who has worked college and professional games for the past 15 years.

Other surnames

RanchRancherRanckers