Show ContentsRantil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Rantil Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Rantil

What does the name Rantil mean?

The origins of the name Rantil are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the baptismal name Randel. In this case the surname Rantil 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 Rantil family

The surname Rantil 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

In Scotland, the name "occurs frequently in the Register of Cupar Abbey [near Coupar, Angus in central Scotland]. Amongst the tenants in Carse Grange are Ranalds, Ranaldsons, Randalsons and Randalls, or as it is sometimes given, Randal, Randale, Randell, Rendall. There were others about Perth in the days of the Reformation." 4

Early History of the Rantil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rantil research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1436, 1464, 1478, 1570, 1571, 1581, 1587, 1592, 1598, 1622, 1637, 1640, 1664, 1758, 1781, 1799, 1815, 1822 and 1856 are included under the topic Early Rantil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rantil 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. Rantil has been spelled many different ways, including Randall, Rendle, Randal, Rendel, Rendell and others.

Early Notables of the Rantil family

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." 5 William Randall (fl. 1598) was an English musician and is included by Meres in his list of England's 'excellente musitians.' John Rendle (1758-1815), divine, was born at Tiverton in...
Another 187 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rantil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rantil family to Ireland

Some of the Rantil 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.

Migration of the Rantil family

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 Rantils to arrive in North America: Philip Randall, his wife and their three children, who arrived in Dorchester, MA in 1633; John Randall, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; Phillip and Robert Randall, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1639.

The Rantil 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. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print

Houseofnames.com on Facebook