Origin & Meaning of the Rankin Surname
What does the last name Rankin mean?
The surname Rankin carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 28,821 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Rankin ranks as the #1,229 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Rankin come from?
The Rankin surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Rankin name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Rankin trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Rankin |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,229 |
| US Count (2010) | 28,821 |
| Per 100K People | 9.77 |
| First Letter | R |
Ethnic Distribution of Rankin
According to the US Census, the Rankin surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 28,821 Americans with the Rankin last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 78.47% |
| Black | 15.8% |
| Hispanic | 2.65% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.53% |
| Native American | 0.49% |
| Two or More Races | 2.06% |
Popularity of Rankin Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Rankin surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Rankin surname increased by 832 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Rankin
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Rankin.
Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Rankin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rankin
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