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

Renkin, 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 Renkin surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Renkin in America

Renkin is the 136783rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Renkin surname appeared 113 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Renkin.

The history of the last name Renkin

The surname Renkin can be traced back to Belgium, a country in Western Europe. The name finds its origins in the region of Wallonia, the primarily French-speaking southern part of Belgium. Etymologically, Renkin is derived from the Old French name Ren, which itself is a diminutive form of the old Germanic name Ragin, meaning "counsel" or "advice." The suffix -kin was used as a diminutive in Middle Dutch and Flemish, implying "little" or "son of." Therefore, Renkin would loosely translate to "little Ren" or "son of Ren."

The earliest documentation of the surname Renkin can be found in medieval records from the 12th and 13th centuries. One of the earliest recorded appearances is in a manuscript from the Abbey of Saint-Hubert in the Ardennes, dated around 1175. In these records, a Phillipus de Renkin is noted as a benefactor to the abbey, offering land and financial support.

Historical references to the surname appear sporadically through the centuries, primarily within ecclesiastical and feudal documents. For example, a notable reference can be found in the archives of the Diocese of Liège from the late 14th century, which lists a Joris Renkin as a clergyman involved in the administration of church properties.

A particularly prominent figure in history with the surname Renkin is Jules Renkin, born in 1862 and died in 1934. Jules Renkin was a significant political figure who served as the Prime Minister of Belgium from 1931 to 1932. His leadership came during a tumultuous period marked by economic challenges and social unrest.

Another historical figure is Ferdinand Renkin, who lived during the Napoleonic era. Born in 1778, Ferdinand was a military officer in the service of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. He gained recognition for his participation in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, where he served with distinction under the command of the Duke of Wellington.

In the 16th century, a records keeper by the name of Cornelius Renkin is noted for his work in the municipal archives of the city of Namur. Cornelius was born in 1530 and died in 1585. His meticulous documentation and translations of Latin texts into vernacular French have been invaluable to historians studying the period.

By the 18th century, the surname Renkin had spread and evolved in spelling across regions. One interesting variation is found in the records of a Flemish merchant, Pieter Renquin, noted for his trade relations between Antwerp and London. Pieter was born in 1654 and died in 1721, leaving considerable documentation that has helped trace commercial routes of that era.

Through its etymology, historical documentation, and notable figures, the surname Renkin offers a rich tapestry of European history and a testament to the evolution of language and culture over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Renkin

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Renkin 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.

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 Renkin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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