Although accepted as Scottish Gaelic, the true origin of this surname is, in fact, Norse Viking. It derives from the pre-6th-century personal compound “Rognvaldr”, which translates as “counsel-rule”, but is likely to have meant “wise-counsel” or a similar term. Norse and Saxon names were usually “created” from warlike terms or reference to the gods; “Rognvaldr” is one of the more peaceful forms. Whilst the first introduction into the Isles of Britain was through the Viking conquest of the Isle of Man in the 8th Century A.D., the name was also brought in by both the Anglo-Saxons (8th Century) and the Normans after 1066. However, in the latter cases, the usual form was “Reynold”. Recordings of the name include John Makrynnild, of Eddirallekach, in 1483. Allan McRynild, of Gawrie, in 1569, seemingly the patronymic “Mac” for “son of” was a later application to the original name, Ronald, Ranald, or Reynold, as was “son”; Doul Ranaldsone was recorded in Glasgow in 1511.
The Clan Ranald, the Chiefs of Keppoch, derive from MacMhic Raghnaill, beheaded at Elgin in 1547. Among the early American settlers was William Ronald, believed to be from Kintyre, who was recorded in New Jersey and New England in 1684. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Rannald, dated 1463, as a Burgess of Glasgow during the reign of King James III of Scotland, 1460-1488. Surnames became necessary when governments began to introduce personal taxation. In England, this was known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to “develop”, often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
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