Show ContentsRandolf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Randolf originated among the descendants of the ancient Pictish clans. It is derived from the personal name, Randolph which contained elements that translated to shield and wolf. Randolf is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Many patronymic surnames were formed by adopting the given name of an ancestor of the bearer, while others came from popular religious names, and from the names of secular heroes.

Early Origins of the Randolf family

The surname Randolf was first found in Moray, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Randolf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Randolf research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1266, 1278, 1296, 1332, 1334, 1346, 1605 and 1635 are included under the topic Early Randolf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Randolf Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name Randolf include Randolph, Randolf and others.

Early Notables of the Randolf family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Thomas Randolph Moray (d. 1332), the 1st Earl of Moray, companion of Robert Bruce and Regent of Scotland, the only son of Thomas Randolph, lord of Stratnith. His father was Sheriff of Roxburgh in 1266 and from 1266 to 1278 Great Chamberlain of Scotland. His son, John Randolph (died 1346) the third Earl of Moray was the second son of Thomas Randolph, first Earl of Moray. He succeeded to the earldom on the...
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Randolf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Randolf family

Scots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people's interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of Randolf: Milward Randolph, who arrived in Virginia in 1621; Edward Randolph, who arrived in Barnstable, MA in 1630; Henry Randolph, who came to Virginia in 1642.


Contemporary Notables of the name Randolf (post 1700) +

  • Sir Randolf Littlehales Baker (1879-1959), English Army Lieutenant-Colonel; member of UK Parliament, 4th Baronet of Ranston


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