Randall (given name)

Randall

Randall is derived from a medieval name composed of two elements: "shield" or "rim" + "wolf".
Pronunciation /ˈrændl/
Gender Masculine
Language(s) English
Origin
Language(s) English
Word/name Randall (surname)
Other names
Variant form(s) Randal, Randel, Randell, Randle
Pet form(s) Randy
See also Raghnall, Rághnall, Rand, Randolf, Randolph, Randulf, Randwulf, Rannulbh, Rannúlfr, Röndúlfr

Randall /ˈrændl/ is a masculine given name in English, German, and Dutch. Its modern use as a given name originates from the transferred use of the English–language surname Randall. There are two explanations for the derivation of this surname. One is that it originate from a personal name that is an apocopal form, or a vernacular form of Randolf; another explanation is that they originate from a diminutive of a mediaeval form of Randolf. Early forms of Randolf were brought to England by Scandinavian settlers, and later by the Normans. These mediaeval names are ultimately derived from two Germanic language elements—the first meaning: "shield" or "rim"; the second meaning "wolf".

There several variant spellings of the given name; these include Randal, Randel, Randell, and Randle. The pet form of Randall is Randy. The form Randal has also used as an Anglicisation of Raghnall, an etymologically unrelated Irish and Scottish Gaelic name. Randal, as an Anglicisation of this Gaelic name, has been noted as being particularly common amongst several Irish families of note. Randal has not been among the 1,000 most popular masculine baby names in the United States since 1994, and Randall has been among the top 1,000 names since 1906. According to US Census data, in 1990 both names were among the top 500 most popular masculine names in the country. Neither name is currently among the 100 most popular masculine (or feminine) baby names in either the United Kingdom nor the Republic of Ireland.

Etymology and early history

The modern given name Randall, /ˈrændl/,[1] is derived from the transferred use of the surname Randall.[2][note 1] There have been two explanations for the origin of this surname. One explanation is that the surname is derived from the Middle English personal name Randel. This name is a diminutive of the mediaeval personal name Rand compounded with the Anglo Norman hypocoristic suffix -el.[4] The Middle English Rand can be a short form of any of several names composed of the first element rand, meaning "shield" or "rim";[5] however the specific names associated with Randel are Randulf and Randolf—names that were brought to England by the Normans.[2][3][5] Another explanation for the surname Randall, is that it is merely an apocopal form,[6][7] or mediaeval vernacular form of Randolf.[2]

The Norman personal names Randulf and Randolf are ultimately derived from the Old Norse Rannúlfr.[3][5] In fact, Rannúlfr was introduced into England by Scandinavians well before the arrival of the Norman name, and because of the introduction of the form used by the Normans, both names were reinforced in England.[5] The Old Norse Rannúlfr is composed of two elements—the first element is rand, meaning "shield" or "rim"; the second element is úlfr, meaning "wolf".[5] The Old English form of these names is Randwulf (similarly composed of rand and wulf).[6][7] Other cognates include: the Old Low German Randwulf, Randulf; and the Old Norse Röndúlfr.[6][7]

There are several early occurrences in British sources of the names that gave rise to the modern given name Randall. An early occurrence of the modern surname is: Richard Randall, in 1547 (in Huntingdonshire, England). A mediaeval occurrence of the surname is: Thomas Randel, in 1250 (in Suffolk, England). An early occurrence of the short form Rand is: Rande de Borham, in 1299. An early occurrence of Randel (a diminutive of Rand) is: Randal, in 1204 (in Yorkshire, England). An early occurrence of the mediaeval personal names Randolf, Randulf is: Randulfus, in about 1095 (in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, England); another is: Nicolaus filius Randulphi, in the years spanning 1175–86 (in Norfolk, England).[3]

According to etymologist P. H. Reaney, the mediaeval name Randulf was commonly confused with Old German Rannulf. This Old German name is composed of elements meaning "raven" and "wolf", and was introduced into England around the same time as Randulf. One example where the unrelated names were confused and given to the same individual in different records is: Randolphus de Brachenberch, in about 1155; and Ranulfus de Brachinberge, in 1160–6 (both names recorded in Lincolnshire, England).[3]

Variant forms and pet forms

Variant spellings of the given name Randall include: Randal, Randel, Randell, and Randle.[8] Randal is also used as an Anglicised form of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic Raghnall (to which it is etymologically unrelated). Although Randal is generally Gaelicised as Raghnall in Ireland (and sometimes Rághnall),[9] the Irish Rannulbh more accurately represents Randulph and Randulf.[10][11] A pet form of Randall is Randy;[2][12] this name is /ˈrændi/,[12] and is also a pet form of several other etymologically related, and unrelated names.[2] Randaloso allies too :v

Use and popularity

"Lord Randal", by Arthur Rackham, from Some British ballads (published in about 1919). The given name Randal has been associated with this border ballad.

Randall, as a modern given name, is regarded as being mainly an American name.[2] In Scotland, the name Randal has been associated with Lord Randal, an Anglo-Scottish border ballad, published by American Francis James Child in 1882 (see Child Ballads).[13] In parts of Ireland in the 19th and early 20th century, the name Randal has been noted being used particularly by families of the surname MacDonnell (the surname was/is spelt variously).[9][11] There are several notable Irish families, historically unrelated to each other, who bear (forms of) this surname.[14] The chiefly line of one such family relocated to the Glens of Antrim from Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries, and Randal appears numerous times in their pedigree;[14] this family descends from members of the Scottish Clan Donald; and even today, various Anglicised forms of the Gaelic Raghnall are commonly used by members of this clan.[note 2] Randal was noted in the early 20th century as being common within the O'Donovan family as well; their name, like that of Clan Donald, originated as an Anglicised form of the etymologically unrelated Raghnall.[18]

Since 1906, Randall has been among the top 1,000 names recorded in Social Security card applications for baby boys in the United States. The name was at its most popular point in 1955, when it was ranked the 53rd most popular masculine baby name. Currently, the name was ranked 749th for the year 2009.[19] Randall currently is, and historically has been more popular in the United States than the various other forms of the name. For example, since 1995, Randal has not been among the top 1,000 names recorded in for baby boys. This name first ranked within the top 1,000 boys names in 1938, and it stayed among the top 1,000 names until 1994; the name was at its most popular point in 1958, when it was ranked 189th.[19] According to data released by the Social Security Administration, the forms Randell, Randel, and Randle have never been nearly as popular (see 'popularity graphs' below).[19] In 1990, the United States Census Bureau undertook a study of the 1990 United States Census, and released a sample of data concerning the most popular names.[20] According to this sample of 6.3 million people (who had 5,494 unique first names),[21] Randal was ranked as the 477th most popular masculine name, and Randall was ranked 139th most popular.[22] Neither name ranked among females in this sample.[23]

Neither Randal or Randall ranked within the top 100 masculine (or feminine) baby names for the year 2009 in England and Wales;[24][25] similarly so for Scotland.[26] In both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, neither name ranked within the top 100 masculine (or feminine) names of registered births in 2009.[27][28]

Popularity graphs

A graph showing the rise and fall of the name Randall within the top 1,000 names registered for baby boys in the United States during the years spanning from 1880 to 2009
Popularity of Randall
A graph showing the rise and fall of the name Randal within the top 1,000 names registered for baby boys in the United States during the years spanning from 1880 to 2009
Popularity of Randal
The years and rank when Randal and Randall appeared amongst the top 1,000 names for Social Security card applications concerning male births in the United States.[19]
A graph showing the rise and fall of the name Randel within the top 1,000 names registered for baby boys in the United States during the years spanning from 1880 to 2009
Popularity of Randel
A graph showing the rise and fall of the name Randell within the top 1,000 names registered for baby boys in the United States during the years spanning from 1880 to 2009
Popularity of Randell
A graph showing the rise and fall of the name Randle within the top 1,000 names registered for baby boys in the United States during the years spanning from 1880 to 2009
Popularity of Randle
The years and rank when Randel, Randell, and Randle appeared amongst the top 1,000 names for Social Security card applications concerning male births in the United States.[19]

List of people with the given names

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Randal

Name Life Country of birth Notability
Alexander Randal Mark McDonnell[29] born 1935[29] Ninth Earl of Antrim (1785 creation), in the Peerage of Ireland.[29]
Randal Bays[30] Musician.[30]
Randal Beresford[31] died 1681[31] Second Beresford of Coleraine baronet, in the Baronetage of Ireland.[31]
Randal E. Bryant[32] Dean of School of Computer Science, at Carnegie Mellon University.[32]
Randal Edwards[33] born 1984[33] Canada[33] Actor.[33]
Randal Forbes Elliott[34] 1922–2010[34] New Zealand[34] Noted eye surgeon and campaigner of safety glass.[34]
Randal Haworth[35] Randal Reid Appeared on an American reality television show.[35]
Randal Hill[36] born 1969[36] United States[36] Professional American football player in the NFL.[36]
Randal Kleiser[37] born 1946[37] United States[37] Film director.[37]
Randal J. Kirk[38] born c.1954[38] United States[38] Billionaire businessman.[38]
Randal MacDonnell died 1636[29] First Earl of Antrim, in the Peerage of Ireland.[29]
Randal MacDonnell[29] 1609–1683[29] Second Earl of Antrim, and first Marquess of Antrim, in the Peerage of Ireland.[29]
Randal MacDonnell[29] 1680–1721[29] Fourth Earl of Antrim in the Peerage of Ireland.[29]
Randal Johnson Malone[39] born 1959[39] United States[39] Actor.[39]
Randal Robert Alexander Marlin[40] Adjunct Professor at Carleton University.[40]
Randal McLelland[41] born 1985[41] United States[41] American Olympic athlete at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[41]
Randal O'Toole[42] Cato Institute Senior Fellow, and author.[42]
Randal Keith Orton born 1980 United States Professional wrestler
Randal Pinkett[43] born 1971[43] United States[43] Contestant on an American reality television show.[44]
Randal Edward Sherborne Plunkett[45] 1848–1883[45] Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom.[45]
Randal Arthur Henry Plunkett[46] 1906–1999[46] Nineteenth Baron of Dunsany, in the Peerage of Ireland.[46]
Randal Howard Paul born 1963[47] United States[47] Politician
Randal Smith 1898–1968 Second Baron Bicester, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
Randal Williams[48] born 1978[48] United States[48] Professional American football player in the NFL.[48]
Randal R. Wisbey[49] President of La Sierra University.[49]
William Randal Cremer[50] 1828–1908[50] Recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1903.[50]
William Randal McDonnell[29] 1851–1918[29] Sixth Earl of Antrim (1785 creation), in the Peerage of Ireland.[29]

Randall

Randell

Notes

  1. ↑ There are several variant spellings of this surname. For example the forms: Randell, Randle, Randles, and Randoll.[3]
  2. ↑ For example the present chief of the Macdonalds of Clanranald, the chief of the MacDonells of Glengarry,[15] and the chief of the MacDonalds of Keppoch all have has Ranald as a given name.[16] Although chiefs of the name are no longer recognised in the Republic of Ireland, one MacDonnell who bore the given name Randal was so recognised in the mid-1990s;[17] the present Earl of Antrim, although not a male-line descendant of Clan Donald, also bears this given name.[15] Since the creation of the titles Earl of Antrim and Marquess of Antrim, in the 17th century, there have been numerous earls and marquesseses with Randal as a given name.

References

  1. ↑ Randall, Dictionary.com, retrieved 1 November 2010 which cited: Dictionary.com Unabridged, Random House
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 226, 355, 407, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Reaney, Percy Hilde; Wilson, Richard Middlewood (2006), A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.), London: Routledge, pp. 2584–2585, ISBN 0-203-99355-1 Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)
  4. ↑ Learn about the family history of your surname, Ancestry.com, retrieved 16 October 2010 which cited: Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4 for the surnames "Randal", "Randall".
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Learn about the family history of your surname, Ancestry.com, retrieved 16 October 2010 which cited: Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4 for the surnames "Rand", "Randolph".
  6. 1 2 3 Black, George Fraser (1946), The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, New York: New York Public Library, p. 682
  7. 1 2 3 Harrison, Henry (1918), Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary, 2, London: The Mortland Press, p. 103
  8. ↑ Randall, AskOxford.com, retrieved 22 October 2010 which cited: Concise Dictionary of First Names, Oxford University Press
  9. 1 2 Woulfe, Patrick (1906), Sloinnte Gaedheal Is Gall - Irish Names And Surnames, Dublin: M. H. Gill and Son, p. 41; see also: Ó Duibhín, Ciarán (19 October 2009), Ainmneacha pearsanta in Ultaibh, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (www.smo.uhi.ac.uk), retrieved 8 November 2010
  10. ↑ Rannulbh, Library Ireland (www.libraryireland.com), retrieved 21 October 2010 which is a transcription of: Woulfe, Patrick (1923), Irish Names and Surnames
  11. 1 2 Raghnall, Library Ireland (www.libraryireland.com), retrieved 21 October 2010 which is a transcription of: Woulfe, Patrick (1923), Irish Names and Surnames
  12. 1 2 Randy, Dictionary.com, retrieved 12 November 2010 which cited: Dictionary.com Unabridged, Random House
  13. ↑ Zaczek, Iain (2001), The Book of Scottish Names, Toronto: McArthur & Company, p. 107, ISBN 1-55278-179-8
  14. 1 2 MacLysaght, Edward (1972), Irish Families: Their Names, Arms and Origins, New York: Crown Publishers, pp. 119–120
  15. 1 2 The Chiefs of Clan Donald (txt), The High Council of Clan Donald (www.highcouncilofclandonald.org), retrieved 12 November 2010
  16. ↑ Clan Chiefs, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (www.clanchiefs.org), retrieved 13 November 2010
  17. ↑ The Count Randal MacDonnell of the Glens, Debrett's (www.debretts.com), retrieved 13 November 2010
  18. ↑ Cork Historical and Archaeological Society (1919), Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, p. 40
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 Popularity of a Name, Social Security Online, retrieved 1 November 2010
  20. ↑ Genealogy Data: Frequently Occurring Surnames from Census 1990 – Names Files, United States Census Bureau, retrieved 21 October 2010
  21. ↑ Documentation and Methodology for Frequently Occurring Names in the U.S. (txt), United States Census Bureau, retrieved 21 October 2010
  22. ↑ dist.male.first (txt), United States Census Bureau, retrieved 1 November 2010
  23. ↑ dist.female.first (txt), United States Census Bureau, retrieved 1 November 2010
  24. ↑ Top 100 names for baby boys, 2009 (xls), Office for National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk), retrieved 12 November 2010
  25. ↑ Top 100 names for baby girls, 2009 (xls), Office for National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk), retrieved 12 November 2010
  26. ↑ Table 2 - Top 100 boys' and girls' names, Scotland, 2009, showing changes since 2008 (Alphabetical) (pdf), General Register Office for Scotland (www.gro-scotland.gov.uk), retrieved 12 November 2010
  27. ↑ First Names Bulletin 2009 (pdf), Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (www.nisra.gov.uk), retrieved 12 November 2010
  28. ↑ Irish Babies’ Names 2009 (pdf), Central Statistics Office (www.cso.ie), retrieved 12 November 2010
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Peerage, Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page (www.leighrayment.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  30. 1 2 Associate Teachers, Island Strings (www.islandstrings.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  31. 1 2 3 Burke, Edmund (1859), The genealogy of the existing British peerage and baronetage: containing the family histories of the nobility, Hurst and Blackett, p. 564
  32. 1 2 Randy Bryant's Home, Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science (www.cs.cmu.edu), retrieved 30 November 2010
  33. 1 2 3 4 Randal Edwards, Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  34. 1 2 3 4 Falconer, Phoebe (24 July 2010), Eyesight expert and safety campaigner, The New Zealand Herald (www.nzherald.co.nz), retrieved 30 November 2010
  35. 1 2 Dr. Randal D. Haworth, Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  36. 1 2 3 4 Randal Hill, NFL.com (www.nfl.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  37. 1 2 3 4 Randal Kleiser, Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  38. 1 2 3 4 #468 Randal Kirk, Forbes.com (www.forbes.com), 11 March 2009, retrieved 30 November 2010
  39. 1 2 3 4 Randal Malone, Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  40. 1 2 CURRICULUM VITAE, Carleton University (www.carleton.ca), retrieved 30 November 2010
  41. 1 2 3 4 Sean McLelland, Team USA (www.teamusa.org), retrieved 30 November 2010
  42. 1 2 Randal O'Toole, Cato Institute (www.cato.org), retrieved 30 November 2010
  43. 1 2 3 Randal Pinkett, Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  44. ↑ Trump chooses Randal as 4th 'Apprentice', msnbc.com (www.msnbc.msn.com), 16 December 2005, archived from the original on 8 December 2009, retrieved 8 December 2009
  45. 1 2 3 The House of Commons Constituencies Beginning With "G", Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page (www.leighrayment.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  46. 1 2 3 Peerage, Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page (www.leighrayment.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  47. 1 2 Rettig, Jessica (3 June 2010), Randell Kirsch Biographytp://politics.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/06/03/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-rand-paul.html 10 Things You Didn't Know About Rand Paul Check |url= value (help), U.S. News & World Report (www.usnews.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  48. 1 2 3 4 Randal Williams, NFL.com (www.nfl.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  49. 1 2 Meet the President, Randal R. Wisbey, La Sierra University (www.lasierra.edu), retrieved 30 November 2010
  50. 1 2 3 Sir Randal Cremer, Timeline of Nobel Winners (www.nobel-winners.com), retrieved 30 November 2010
  51. ↑ Biographies, Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (www.coe-dmha.org), retrieved 1 December 2010
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