Surname Randolph - Meaning and Origin
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A Journey Through Time: Rediscovering The Randolph Lineage with iGENEA
Unearthed family histories, unanticipated discoveries and an unparalleled emotional journey unraveled through the iGENEA DNA testing process; a personal account of how this transformative experience brought a new-found pride and deeper understanding of the family lineage and the significance of the Randolph surname.
K. Randolph
read moreRandolph: What does the surname Randolph mean?
The surname Randolph is of Anglo-Saxon origin, stemming from the Old English personal name 'Randwulf,' made up of the elements 'rand' meaning 'shield' or 'rim' and 'wulf' meaning 'wolf.' This suggests the name may have initially been assigned to individuals who were known for their defensive strength or wolf-like qualities, such as fierceness and courage. It was often given as a first name during the Middle Ages and later transformed into a surname. Randolph grew in popularity due to its use by the Scottish royal family in the 14th century. Today, it is used as both a first and last name in several English-speaking countries. It is quite predominant in the United States, which is home to numerous notable people named Randolph, contributing to the popularity and recognition of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisRandolph: Where does the name Randolph come from?
The last name Randolph is a common and historically important English name in many parts of the world. Today, Randolph is commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Southeast, where some of the earliest Randolph lines emanated from Virginia. American Randolphs are also scattered throughout the Midwest and upper South, as well as some parts of the Northeast. A few Randolphs are also found in California, Florida, and the Southwest.
Outside the United States, the Randolph name is usually found in the Britain, particularly in England and Wales, where Randolphs were some of the original colonists in America. Plenty of Randolphs can also be found in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Australia, many of whom trace their lineage back to the United Kingdom.
The Randolph name carries a long legacy that continues to pervade many societies today. Researching Randolph lines can be quite difficult as the name has had many spellings variations throughout the years, including Randolpho and Rannulf, but the fact remains that with a bit of effort one can find the Randolph name in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Randolph
The Randolph surname is an English and Scottish surname that derives from the given name Randolph. Variants of the surname can vary geographically, spelling and pronunciation. Variations of the surname include Randolf, Randulph, Randal, Randalph, Rendell, Reynold, Reynoldson and Ronald.
Randolf is a German and Dutch variant of the surname Randolph. It has one e in the spelling on the end of the name. It can be spelled as Randolf, Randulph or Ramdolf.
Randal is an Anglicized form of the surname. Randal is sometimes spelled as Randalph. Randal and Randalph are variants primarily from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Rendell is an unusual spelling of the name. It is found primarily in Cornwall, England.
Reynold is a variation of the name primarily found in Scotland. This spelling is the closest variant to the given name, as it has two n’s in the spelling.
Reynoldson is similar to the Reynold version, but adds the suffix “son” to the end. This name variant is found primarily in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Ronald is an Anglicized version of the surname. This spelling is used primarily in Scotland and Wales, as it is the closest version to the given name, as it has an “d” on the end.
Overall, the Randolph surname has endured low levels of variation throughout its history. While many different variants can be found, all of them stem from the same given name.
Famous people with the name Randolph
- William Randolph: American entrepreneur, politician and planter, known for his leading role in the history and government of colonial Virginia.
- Anne Randolph: English poet, playwright, and humanitarian.
- Henry Randolph: American politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia in 1777.
- Marlon Randolph: American actor, best known for his role as Stanley Thurgood in the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show.
- John Randolph of Roanoke: American planter, lawyer and statesman from Virginia.
- Thomas Mann Randolph Jr.: American politician, planter, and soldier from Virginia. He served as Governor of Virginia from 1819 to 1822.
- Keith Randolph: American entrepreneur and stock market investor, best known for his work with the hedge fund DKR Capital.
- Quincy Randolph: American actor, best known for his role as Ramon in the ABC drama Rogue.
- Miranda Randolph: American television actress who has appeared in numerous television series and films.
- Peter Randolph: American Presbyterian minister, writer and educator, best known for his work as a pastor of Old Fairfax Church in Virginia.