Surname MacRankine - Meaning and Origin
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MacRankine: What does the surname MacRankine mean?
The last name MacRankine is a Scottish surname, believed to be derived from the Gaelic word MacRaonag, meaning “son of a rank”, indicating one from a higher ranking family. It was also historically a surname used in Ireland, stemming from the MacRandag, or “son of the shield.” In Scotland, the MacRankine variation of the name is most commonly found in the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles near the coast.
Historically, individuals with the MacRankine surname have been members of both low- and high-ranking social classes, depending upon the geographical area in which they lived. It was associated with strong family ties, an unrelenting sense of loyalty, and the herbal and healing arts for which the Scottish Highlanders were known.
The MacRankine family motto was “Gang Warily” or “Follow Wary”. This reflects a spirit of caution, conscientiousness and careful thought to guide life’s journey. Much of the traditional wisdom of the MacRankines was heavily influenced by the teachings of the Scottish Poet, Robert Burns. A famous MacRankine, Sir Ian Rankin, is a distinguished detective novelist, playwright and screenwriter.
Whilst the name is now less common than it once was, the legacy of the MacRankine family lives on. The name still retains a sense of strength in character and boldness, offering hope and courage for future generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacRankine: Where does the name MacRankine come from?
The last name MacRankine is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Scotland. Scotland is the ancestral home of the name MacRankine and its earliest recorded use is found in 1297 where it is referenced in records for John de MacRankine who was confirmed as the owner of land that he had held since 1290. It is believed to have been a surname taken by the Gaelic clan of the same name. It may have been derived from the Gaelic Mac Riaghnaigh, which means the son of Riaghnaigh or a ruler.
Today, MacRankine is most commonly found in Scotland and the UK. Scotland is home to the small villages of Auchencarroch and Kilmarnock, both of which are known to have an abundance of MacRankine residents. Beyond Scotland, generations of MacRankines have migrated to the US, Australia, and other countries due to the social and economic changes that region has seen in its history.
MacRankine families typically have a strong sense of heritage and family pride, and its members often reunite regularly to celebrate their shared history. These reunions often result in the sharing of stories, family recipes, and other mementos, creating a strong bond between extended family members. Additionally, many MacRankine families have incorporated various elements of their heritage into their lifestyle and beliefs, ensuring that their traditions remain alive for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname MacRankine
MacRankine is a surname of Scottish origin. It is primarily found in the Argyll area of Scotland, or amongst those of Scottish descent in other countries. It derives from the old Celtic language and means 'son of Rankin', or 'descendant of Rankin'. Other variations of the name include MacRankin, MacRaing, MacRannoch, MacRanald, McConnell and Ranachan.
MacRankine is generally spelled with a 'Mac' prefix as this denotes the family name as of Scottish descent. The variants MacRaing and MacRannoch come from the Gaelic language, while the variants MacRankin, MacRanald and McConnell are of Scots origin. Ranachan is also a derived form of MacRankine, often used in Ireland and Scotland, but originally deriving from the Gaelic word "Ran" which means "strong".
The name, while originating from Scotland or Ireland, is also found among those whose ancestors are from other countries. For instance, Rankin is a surname of English and French descent. It has variations such as Ranck, Rankis, Ranken, and Ranker. Similarly, Rankine is found as a surname in England, with variants such as Rancin, Rankin, Rankinso, Rancourt and Ranken.
Altogether, the MacRankine surname is likely to have many different spellings and origins, depending on the country from which it originated. As previously mentioned, it is a Scottish and Irish surname, and to that can be added variations found in England, France and other countries.
Famous people with the name MacRankine
- Margaret MacRankine: Scottish poet, novelist, playwright and author
- Brian Macrankine: Former professional footballer for Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- John MacRankine: Professional golfer on the European Tour
- Robert MacRankine: Scientist from Edinburgh, Scotland and former President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Jack MacRankine: Scottish pianist, songwriter, and actor
- Douglas Macrankine: Late Scottish actor best known for appearing in "Highlander: The Series"
- Elizabeth Macrankine: Scottish writer, producer, director and founder of the GaelFilm project.
- Malcolm MacRankine: Retired British Astronomer Royal and Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh
- Stuart MacRankine: Lead singer of the British rock band Fairport Convention
- Neil MacRankine: Scottish songwriter, musician, and producer.