Randolph Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Randolph come from? What does the surname Randolph mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Randolph and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Rand, Randall, Randerson, Randolf
Surname Randolph Origin: What does the last name Randolph mean?
The surname Randolph has English and German origins, with the classicized spelling of Randolf. It is derived from the Germanic personal name composed of the elements "rand" and "wolf," meaning "shield wolf." Introduced to England by Scandinavian settlers in the Old Norse form Rann√∫lfr, it was reinforced after the Norman Conquest with the Norman form Rannulf. The surname first appeared in records from England in the early 12th century and remained closely associated with the United Kingdom through the 15th century, with a notable increase in the United States by the 16th century.
YourRoots data confirms the significant spread of the Randolph surname globally, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. By the 17th century, the volume of Randolph family records grew substantially in the United States, indicating a shift across the Atlantic. Today, the Randolph surname remains prominent in the United States and various countries worldwide, reflecting its enduring presence and global reach.
Randolph Last Name History: Where did the last name Randolph come from?
Origin of Randolph Surname: Where does the last name Randolph originate from?
According to YourRoots data, the surname Randolph first appeared in records from England, United Kingdom, around the early 12th century. Please note that this reflects only YourRoots data for the exact “Randolph” spelling and does not include other record sources or surname variations.
History of the Last Name Randolph: What does the Randolph surname history look like in the early days?
The “Randolph” surname remained closely associated with the United Kingdom from the 12th through the 15th century, with notable frequency in both England and Scotland. By the 16th century, YourRoots data shows an increase in the volume of Randolph family records in the United States, surpassing the volume in the United Kingdom by the 17th century, indicating a significant shift across the Atlantic.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Randolph surname today?
By the 17th century, the volume of records with the Randolph surname grew significantly in the United States, and this trend continued into the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The “Randolph” surname remains prominent in the United States and also appears in countries worldwide, reflecting its global reach. While exact country spread data is not provided, the historical trend indicates a widespread presence of the Randolph surname, particularly in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.
Explore Randolph last name heritage and Randolph surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Randolph Surame?
Martha Jefferson Randolph
Martha "Patsy" Randolph (née Jefferson; September 27, 1772 - October 10, 1836) was the daughter of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. She was well-educated, multilingual, and served as an informal First Lady. Martha married Thomas Mann Randolph Jr., had twelve children, and managed various estates. Her life was marked by tragedy, debt, and caring for her father.
A. Philip Randolph
Asa Philip Randolph (Apr 15, 1889 - May 16, 1979) was an American labor unionist and civil rights activist. He founded the first successful African-American-led labor union and played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement. Randolph organized the March on Washington in 1963.
Anthony Randolph
Anthony Erwin Randolph Jr. (born Jul 15, 1989) is a former professional basketball player who represented the senior Slovenian national basketball team and won the 2017 EuroBasket. He played for the Golden State Warriors and earned an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection in 2016.
Jane Randolph
Jane Randolph (née Roemer; October 30, 1914 – May 4, 2009) was an American film actress known for her roles in classic horror films like Cat People and The Curse of the Cat People. She also appeared in film noir and comedy movies during the 1940s.
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