Show ContentsRands History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rands has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from Randolph of which it is a short form. The surname Rands referred to the son of Randolph which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Rands family

The surname Rands was first found in Norfolk at Yelverton, a parish, in the union of Loddon and Clavering, hundred of Henstead. "The church [of Yelverton] is an ancient structure in the decorated and early English styles, with a square embattled tower, and contains several handsome monuments to the families of Rant, Playter and Day; and a Norman font. The sum of £27 per annum, arising from land purchased with a bequest by Mrs. Anne Rant in 1698, is divided between the rector and the poor, the latter of whom have also 4 acres that were allotted at the inclosure." 1

Early History of the Rands family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rands research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1604, 1606, 1650, 1660 and 1671 are included under the topic Early Rands History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rands Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Rands include Rand, Rande, Rynd, Rynde, Raynd, Raynde and others.

Early Notables of the Rands family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rands Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Rands migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Rands Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Rands, who landed in Maryland in 1673 2
  • Simon Rands, who arrived in West Indies in 1680 2

Rands migration to Australia +

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

Rands Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Rands, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Thomas Rands, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 4
  • George Rands, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" in 1849 5
  • George Rands, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Simlah" in 1849 6
  • George Rands, aged 58, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rands (post 1700) +

  • William Brighty Rands (1828-1882), English author, ‘the laureate of the nursery,’ who wrote under the pseudonyms of Henry Holbeach and Matthew Browne


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  4. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HARRY LORREQUER 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849HarryLorrequer.htm
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The SIMLAH 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Simlah.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook