Find out how popular the last name Rankins is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Rankins.

Rankins, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Rankins surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rankins in America

Rankins is the 8634th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rankins surname appeared 3,809 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Rankins.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rankins to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Rankins

The surname Rankins originated in Scotland, with roots dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "rancan," meaning "rank" or "proud," and was initially given as a nickname to someone with a haughty or arrogant demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The entry mentions a "Thomas Rankyn" from Berwickshire, suggesting the name's presence in the Scottish Borders region during that time.

In the 15th century, the Rankins surname began to spread across Scotland, with records indicating families bearing the name in various regions, including Fife, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire. The name also appeared in different spellings, such as Rankin, Ranking, and Rankine, due to the inconsistencies in record-keeping during that era.

One notable figure from Scottish history was Sir John Rankin (1535-1606), a prominent merchant and burgess of Edinburgh. He played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce, and his descendants continued to be influential in the region for generations.

Another historical figure was Reverend Thomas Rankin (1738-1810), a Methodist minister from Dunbar, Scotland, who became a prominent figure in the Methodist movement in America. He established numerous Methodist societies throughout the colonies and played a crucial role in the church's expansion during the late 18th century.

In the literary world, James Rankin (1806-1888) was a Scottish poet and author, best known for his collection of poems titled "A Garland of Verse" and his novel "The Life of Robert Bruce." He was born in Crail, Fife, and his works celebrated Scottish culture and history.

As the Rankins surname spread beyond Scotland, it found its way to England and Ireland, where it continued to be used. One notable English bearer of the name was William Rankin (1817-1891), a civil engineer who played a significant role in the construction of several railways and bridges in the 19th century.

In Ireland, the Rankins surname was particularly prevalent in County Antrim, where it was associated with several notable families. One such family was the Rankins of Braidwood, who owned significant land holdings in the region and were influential in local affairs.

Throughout history, the Rankins surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, merchants, poets, engineers, and landowners. While its origins can be traced back to Scotland, the name has since spread across the British Isles and beyond, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultural and historical influences that have shaped its journey.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rankins

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Rankins.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rankins was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Rankins has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Rankins was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rankins, please contact us.

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