Show ContentsRansombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ransombe is one of the names carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is based on the Anglo-Norman given name Randolph. The name also derives from the Old English word randim, meaning riverbank, and indicates that the original bearer of the name live near such a geographic feature.

Early Origins of the Ransombe family

The surname Ransombe was first found in Suffolk where the name was derived from a place named Ransham, "though I find no place so called." 1 With regard to the more contemporary meaning of the word ransom, and continuing from this source, the author sites Mr. Ferguson "what curious changes, the whirligig of time brings round. We take our money to the descendant of the old sea-robber to take care of for us - Ramson & Co., bankers, Pal Mall. " 1

Early History of the Ransombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ransombe research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ransombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ransombe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ransombe have been found, including Ransom, Ransome, Ranson and others.

Early Notables of the Ransombe family

More information is included under the topic Early Ransombe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ransombe family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Ransombe were among those contributors: Robert Ranson, who came to Virginia in 1635; Jonas Ranson settled in New York in 1659; James Ransome settled in Virginia in 1682; Elizabeth Ransom, who arrived in Virginia in 1768 with her husband.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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