Surname Rankenhohn - Meaning and Origin

Rankenhohn: What does the surname Rankenhohn mean?

The last name Rankenhohn is of German origin. In German, the word "Ranke" (pronounced "rahn-kuh") means "rank" or "ranker" and "Hohn" (pronounced "hone") is a relatively common ending that generally refers to a settlement or farm. This makes Rankenhohn a fairly straightforward name to translate. It literally means "ranker farm."

Rankenhohn is a surname that is likely derived from the German word for "ranker," or a person who was ranked high in class or station. This would have been a common word for German noble families who had high standing and influence within the region. As such, the surname Rankenhohn likely referred to a family with a long history of high-ranking status.

The surname Rankenhohn is still fairly common in Germany today, as well as in some other parts of Europe such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland. This name is also found in the United States, Canada, and Australia where families with German ancestry have immigrated.

Overall, the surname Rankenhohn is a classic German surname that speaks to the family’s standing in days gone by. It is still used throughout the world today, by families with deep roots in Germany and families who have changed nationalities over the years.

Rankenhohn: Where does the name Rankenhohn come from?

The last name Rankenhohn is most commonly found in Germany, in particular in the former East German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle Low German 'ranken' meaning 'to intertwine, to tangle'. Variations in spelling may include Rankehn, Rankenon, Rankehnen, Rankenunn, Rankenohn, and Rankenhorn. Originally, individuals with the surname were weavers, since weaving fabrics and materials requires intertwining and tangling.

Immigrants brought the Rankenhohn surname to the United States in the 19th century. Since then, the name has spread and can be found throughout the country, from California to New York. In 2020, the surname was estimated to be held by approximately 640 people in America, making it the most common Rankenhohn concentration outside of Germany.

Rankenhohn is also found in other countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands, although in much smaller numbers.

There are also connections with the name in Southern Africa, including members of the Ranken family who were amongst the first British settlers to arrive in the Cape of Good Hope in the late 18th century. Today, the last name Rankenhohn is no longer concentrated in Germany and, as a result of emigration, can be found across the world.

Variations of the surname Rankenhohn

The surname Rankenhohn is of German origin. It is an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word "ranken," meaning "tendril," and "hohn," meaning "worker." As such, it could be translated to mean "vine grower" or "tendril laborer." There are several variants, spellings, and surnames with similar origin as Rankenhohn.

Variants of Rankenhohn include Rankenhaun, Ranchenhoen, Ranckenhoen, Renkenhahn, Rhankenhahn, and Rhankenhan. Spellings of Rankenhohn can varybased on different countries and dialects. Examples of these variations are Rankenhohen, Ranchenhohen, Ranckenhohen, Renkenhomen, Rhankenhomen, and Rhankenhone.

Similar surnames include Ranck, Rank, Ranke, Rang, Rancken, Rangen, Rangger, Rancker, Ranker, Renken, Renkenhagen, Reenken, Reenkens, Ranckenach, Rangemacher, and Renkener. These variations could also have been derived from other occupations, such as a wood cutter or a shape maker.

Overall, the surname Rankenhohn and its various variants, spellings, and surnames with a similar origin have been around for centuries and are quite common throughout Germany. It serves as a reminder of the family's origins and the occupations of its early ancestors.

Famous people with the name Rankenhohn

• Svend Rankenhohn: Danish fencer who won a bronze medal in the team epee at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.
• Mickey Rankenhohn: German-born American actor who appeared in many television series from the 1950s through the 1980s, most notably in a longtime role as Angel on the 1960s television comedy Mork & Mindy.
• August Rankenhohn: German chemist who is credited with the first synthesis of barium cyanide in 1877.
• Andreas Rankenhohn: German theologian who wrote works on Scripture, liturgy and Christian ethics.
• Wolfgang Rankenhohn: German mathematician who conducted significant research on differential equations, numerical analysis and linear algebra, particularly focusing on algebraic methods.
• Kushtrim Rankenhohn: Kosovo-born basketball player who currently plays for German Basketball Bundesliga side Brose Bamberg.
• Stephen Rankenhohn: Canadian football player who spent two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League from 1979–1981.
• Johannes Rankenhohn: German theologian who was diocesan priest of Osnabrück and served as theological adviser to the College of Oldenburg, writing a Latin catechism on Christian doctrine.
• Allen Rankenhohn: American artist and illustrator best known for his film poster designs for Magnificent Seven (1960), The Untouchables (1987) and All the President's Men (1976).
• Hans Rankenhohn: German geologist and mineralogist who served in the First World War as an infantry lieutenant and was later awarded the Iron Cross for his service.

Other surnames

Rankenhahn