Randall (given name)

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] or the Old Norse short first name Randr (variant form Randi, Old Danish Rand),[6] 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,[7][8] or mediaeval vernacular form of Randolf.[2]

The Norman personal names Randulf and Randolf are ultimately derived from the Old Norse Rannúlfr,[3][5] when the short form Randr (Old Danish Rand) is probably the first part of Norman toponyms such as Randal (Manche, le Vrétot, maybe from *Randdalr, a compound with dalr "valley", same as Randale, hamlet in England), Rantot (Manche, farm at Digulleville maybe from *Randtopt with topt > -tot "toft") and Ranville. 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).[7][8] Other cognates include: the Old Low German Randwulf, Randulf; and the Old Norse Röndúlfr.[7][8]

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 spellings of the given name Randall include: Randal, Randel, Randell, Randle, and Rendell.[9] 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),[10] the Irish Rannulbh more accurately represents Randulph and Randulf.[11][12] A pet form of Randall is Randy;[2][13] this name is /ˈrændi/,[13] and is also a pet form of several other etymologically related, and unrelated names.[2]

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

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).[14] 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).[10][12] There are several notable Irish families, historically unrelated to each other, who bear (forms of) this surname.[15] 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;[15] 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.[19]

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.[20] 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.[20] 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).[20] 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.[21] According to this sample of 6.3 million people (who had 5,494 unique first names),[22] Randal was ranked as the 477th most popular masculine name, and Randall was ranked 139th most popular.[23] Neither name ranked among females in this sample.[24]

Neither Randal or Randall ranked within the top 100 masculine (or feminine) baby names for the year 2009 in England and Wales;[25][26] similarly so for Scotland.[27] 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.[28][29]

Popularity graphs

Popularity of Randall

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.[20]

Popularity of Randel

Popularity of Randell

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.[20]