Rankin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Rankin family. Their name comes from the personal name Randolph, with the addition of the diminutive suffix -kin.

Early Origins of the Rankin family

The surname Rankin was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire.

"There is a tradition of descent from one John, son of a knight called Jacob de Rankine, burgomaster of Ghent, who married a daughter of the head of the house of Keith, and became progenitor of the Rankines. " 1 This tradition is difficult to prove but was nevertheless authored by M. H. Rankin, Esq.

Early History of the Rankin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rankin research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1587, 1600, 1629, 1672, 1719 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Rankin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rankin Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Rankin has been spelled Rankin, Ranken, Ranking, Rankene, Rankine and others.

Early Notables of the Rankin family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Rankin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Rankin is the 1,006th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 2 However, in Australia, the name Rankin is ranked the 470th most popular surname with an estimated 8,034 people with that name. 3 And in New Zealand, the name Rankin is the 755th popular surname with an estimated 964 people with that name. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Rankin as 934th with 7,399 people. 5

Migration of the Rankin family to Ireland

Some of the Rankin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Rankin migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Rankins to arrive on North American shores:

Rankin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Rankin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Rankin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Rankin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rankin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Rankin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Rankin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Rankin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Rankin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rankin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Rankin (post 1700) +


The Rankin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortiter et recte
Motto Translation: Boldly and rightly.


Suggested Readings for the name Rankin +
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