Show ContentsRandels History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Randels is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the baptismal name Randel. In this case the surname Randels was a diminutive of the personal name Rand, a short form of various German names with the first element rand meaning shield or wolf. 1

Alternatively, the name was derived from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of Randolph,' from the nickname Randle. As such, the earliest records of the family were as a forename as in Randle de Arclet, Cheshire, temp. 1290. 2

Early Origins of the Randels family

The surname Randels was first found in the parish of Ladock in Cornwall. "Hay, which was formerly deemed a genteel residence, was successively a seat of the families of Randyll, Tregain, and Bone." 3

Early History of the Randels family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Randels research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1436, 1570, 1581, 1587, 1592, 1598, 1622, 1758, 1781, 1799, 1815, 1822 and 1856 are included under the topic Early Randels History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Randels Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Randels has been spelled many different ways, including Randall, Rendle, Randal, Rendel, Rendell and others.

Early Notables of the Randels family

Notables of the family at this time include John Randall (1570-1622), English divine, born at Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire who was sent at the early age of eleven to St. Mary Hall, Oxford, where he matriculated on 27 Nov. 1581. He was elected a fellow of Lincoln College on 6 July 1587. "On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Oxford, in August 1592, Randall was appointed to 'frame and oversee the stage for the academical performance given' in her honour." 4 William Randall (fl. 1598) was an English musician and is included by Meres in his list of England's 'excellente musitians.'John...
Another 187 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Randels Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Randels family to Ireland

Some of the Randels family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Randels migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Randelss to arrive in North America:

Randels Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Joshua Randels, aged 34, arrived in New York in 1923 aboard the ship "Dromore Castle" from Southampton, England 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Randels (post 1700) +

  • Raymond L. Randels, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from 9th Senatorial District, 1961 6


The Randels 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: Nil extra numerum
Motto Translation: Nothing out of time.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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