Surname Ranckers - Meaning and Origin
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Ranckers: What does the surname Ranckers mean?
The last name Ranckers is of German origin. It likely was derived from "Rangen", the Old German name for a village in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Thus, Ranckers originally referred to someone who came from a specific location.
In modern Germany, the surname is most commonly found in Bavaria, Berlin, Lower Saxony, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In an 1875 genealogical survey of the Ranckers family, it was determined that the origins of the name dated back to 1550 and that the earliest known ancestor of the family was Johannes Ranckers, who lived in the Rhineland-Palatinate area.
The Ranckers surname is associated with a variety of different trades, occupations, and crafts. While all of these occupations had their own appeal, those who worked as coopers and winemakers were particularly respected. This is due to the significant role these occupations have historically played in German society.
Notable people with this last name include Dorothea Ranckers, who was a gifted organist and music teacher; Dieterich Rancker, a renowned 18th century historian and theologian; and Lena Ranckers, a successful German businesswoman and entrepreneur.
Overall, the Ranckers surname evokes a sense of rural charm and homeyness. It is a nod to the many generations of Ranckers who have come from and still live in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. It is an especially meaningful name to those who are directly descended from the family, as it serves to remind them of the long history and proud traditions of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisRanckers: Where does the name Ranckers come from?
The last name Ranckers is most commonly found today in the Netherlands. It is the 1101st most common Dutch surname, and is found especially in the western part of the country. Most people who share the surname today are descendants of the ancient German/Frisian family of Ranckers, which dates back as far as the 13th century.
The Ranckers family was known as a noble family and were associated with castles and country estates in the Schweringen and Osnabrück regions of Germany. Surname records indicate the family held prominent and important positions within society, such as mayors and local government officials. During the 16th century, many of the Ranckers family members relocated to the Netherlands, settling mainly in the northern part of the country, as well as in Amsterdam and various towns in the provinces of Noord Holland and Zeeland.
Today, the Ranckers surname is still widespread in the Netherlands, where it is estimated there are more than 5,000 people who share the surname. People named Ranckers today can be found in the Netherlands, Germany and the United States.
Variations of the surname Ranckers
The Ranckers surname is an old Dutch family name derived from the personal name Rancker or Rencker, which was a diminutive of the Germanic male name Rangar, meaning “counsel ruler”. It is also suggested that the name may have alternative spellings, such as Rancke, Ranckerer, Ranckare, Ranckaer, Rancki, Ranker, Rankaa, or Rankers.
Variants of the Ranckers surname include Rinkers, Rengers, Renckers, and Rankers. These spellings are usually found in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, although it may be found all over Europe.
Other surnames that may have the same etymological origin as Ranckers are Rankin and Ranken. Rankin may have been derived from the Scottish-Gaelic personal name Rankan or Rankin, which is derived from REGNICULUS, meaning “little king”. Ranken may have been derived from the Middle Dutch personal name Rankin, which is a diminutive of the Old Germanic name REGNAR, meaning “counsel ruler”.
It is possible, although not confirmed, that Ranckers may also have a connection with two English surnames, Rankin and Ranken. Rankin in England may have originated from the Norman French surname RENECHIN, which is derived from the Germanic personal name Reynkin, meaning “brave or strong ruler”. Ranken may have been a variant of the Norman French name RENECHIN, or vice versa.
Overall, it can be said that the surname Ranckers has several spellings, variants, and connections to other surnames, all of which can be traced back to the original root Rangar meaning “counsel ruler”.
Famous people with the name Ranckers
- Jan-Maarten Allard Ranckers: Dutch Olympic swimmer who competed in the men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Fabian Ranckers: Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for Dutch club,TOP Oss.
- Geert Ranckers: Dutch professional skier who competed in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and has won a bronze medal at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
- Ben Ranckers: Belgian pro-gamer, best known for his work playing League of Legends.
- Jody Ranckers: American model from Los Angeles, California.
- Gerold Ranckers: Dutch folk singer-songwriter who has released several albums.
- Gijsbert Ranckers: former Dutch cyclist who represented Belguim in several amateur road cycling competitions.
- Maarten Ranckers: Dutch saxophonist and composer who has released several albums and performs regularly with his band, Ranckers Ensamble.
- Roderik Ranckers: Dutch entrepreneur and investor.
- Lukas Ranckers: Dutch Olympic gold medalist in the men's decathlon event at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.