Surname Renfro - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Ancestral Tapestry: A Personal iGENEA DNA Test Reveals The History Of Renfro

Nestled within the data from my iGENEA DNA test, lies the rich narrative of my surname, Renfro. My genetic markers bring tales of prehistoric migration, intermarriage across geographic borders and vivid survival. Stemming predominantly from Western Europe, with strong leanings towards France and Spain, my ancestry also features surprising Scandinavian and Eastern European elements.

E. Renfro

Renfro: What does the surname Renfro mean?

The surname Renfro is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "Rainfro" which historians believe means "raven" or possibly "boundary." The name could have been a geographical name for someone who lived near a clearly defined boundary in medieval times. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational name for someone who works with ravens, which were often used as symbols in medieval Europe. In different regions and times, the spelling of the surname has varied, including forms like Rainfroe, Reynfro, and Renfrow amongst others.

Renfro: Where does the name Renfro come from?

The last name Renfro is most commonly found in the United States. In fact, it ranks as the 4,223rd most commonly occurring surname in America. In terms of ancestry, Renfro is of predominantly English derivation, although some Scottish and possibly German immigrants are also believed to have adopted the name. The majority of Renfro families in the United States can trace their ancestry back to the early colonial period during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 2000 United States Census, the surname Renfro was reported in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Immigration records from the late 19th century reveal that Renfro immigrants hailed from England, Scotland, and Germany.

More recently, the Renfro surname has spread to other parts of the United States. The 1990 United States Census found Renfros in states as diverse as California, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Furthermore, Renfro households have increased in frequency in Mexico, beginning in the mid-20th century. The Renfro surname is also widespread in Canada, and various European countries, though it is less common than in many parts of the United States.

Today, many people with the last name Renfro continue to carry on the traditions and customs of their ancestors. Renfro family members often enjoy gathering together, just as they have since the early days of the family in America. The Renfro surname has remained relatively unchanged over the past several centuries, and is still a proud surname of many who trace their roots to both Europe and the United States.

Variations of the surname Renfro

The surname Renfro is of English origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Renfro is an alternate spelling of the name Ranford, which is derived from the Old English words rand (edge) and ford (ford). Variants of this name include Ranford, Rendford, Rendfor, Rendforth, Rendfro, Rentfro, Rinforth, Rinfor, Rinford, Rinfro, Ryneford, and Renforth.

Ranford was an early name in England as early as the 11th century, when Robert Rannulfe had land in Lincolnshire. The Ryneford spelling variant can be traced back to Yorkshire during the 13th century, when Roger Raneford was listed there.

Other surnames of similar spelling and/or origin are Raford, Rafford, Renford, Renfry, Ranfro, Ranforth, Rinfrey, Rinfro, Ranfry, Raunfry, Rinfreye, Raforth, Rinfry, Rendfry, Rumbelow, Randall, and Randal.

The origin of Renfro is thought to be from a place-name from Cheshire, England where the family held a notable family seat in early times. According to some sources, this was the source for the surname and was from a dwelling at Rannulfe’s ford, from the Old English words rand (edge) and ford (ford), a settlement at a bend of the river.

Famous people with the name Renfro

• Brad Renfro: An American actor who appeared in films such as The Client, Tom and Huck, and Bully.
• Bob Renfro: Former MLB pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees.
• Reggie Renfro: Member of the Country Music Hall of Fame as the fiddler for Grand Ole Opry member Marty Robbins.
• Michael Renfro: Former NFL wide receiver who played for the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans.
• Joe Renfro: North Carolina human rights activist and former president of the North Carolina branch of the NAACP.
• Paige Renfro: Child actress who starred in the films Hugo and Miracle on 34th Street (1994).
• Lloyd Renfro: Professional baseball player who played for several minor league teams in the 1930s.
• Shaunt Renfro: Winningest high school girls basketball coach in the state of Texas.
• Jessie Renfro: American basketball player with the Harlem Globetrotters.
• Joi Renfro: Winner of the 2013 National Hair Battle professional hairstylist competition.

Other surnames

RenfreeRenfrewRenfreyRenfroeRenfrow