Surname Ringo - Meaning and Origin
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Ringo: What does the surname Ringo mean?
Ringo is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Olde English pre 7th century word "hreng", which means a ring or circle. It was typically used as a nickname for people who inhabited a circular district or dwelled near a circular formation like a hill, a round clearing in a forest, or a similar landmark. Alternatively, it might be derived from the word "Hringa", a location in the Suffolk region in England. The locational origin is more likely since most of the early recordings of the surname Ringo are found in that area. However, in some instances, this surname might be of Japanese origin, where it translates to "apple" in English. It must be noted that the meaning of a surname can greatly vary depending on the cultural and regional factors. Hence it's challenging to narrow down to one generally accepted meaning applicable to all bearers of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisRingo: Where does the name Ringo come from?
The last name Ringo is common mainly in the US, especially in the former slave-holding South. It is especially highly concentrated in Alabama, where it ranks among the top 100 last names. Other states with populations of Ringo surnames are Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
The origins of the name Ringo can be traced back to Europe. It is speculated to have originated in Germany, probably the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The name is a cognate of the Frankish name Reginar or Reginer and meant “powerful ruler”. Thus, the name may have been given to individuals who had a great deal of power in their region.
The name has also found its way to America, mostly during times of slavery. In some cases, the name was changed to Ringo as an adaptation to the new culture. It is also possible that some adopted the surname in order to conceal their true ancestral lineage. In many cases, slave families who had the surname prior to the Civil War retained it after the war as well.
Today, the name Ringo can still be found in states throughout the US. Despite its roots in slavery, it is today a symbol of strength and heritage for many African Americans. Even though it has assimilated into the American population, it remains a living reminder of our country’s history.
Variations of the surname Ringo
Ringo is a patronymic surname of English origin. It is derived from the pre-7th century Old English "hring" meaning "ring." The most common variant spellings of the surname Ringo include Ringoe, Ringu and Ryngo.
The variants of Ringo can be attributed to its ancient roots which formed many compounds with similar spellings. Other variants have developed since the surname’s emergence in the 13th century and include Rinag, Ringe, Ringer, Ringeo, Rinngo, Ryng, Ryngge and Ryngue.
The Irish variant of the surname Ringo has been found in County Cork since the 16th century. It is derived from the word ‘Reing’, which is an Anglicised form of the Irish ‘Ua Riagain’ meaning ‘descendant of Riagain’.
The German variant of the surname Ringo is Reingo or Rango, which is derived from the German word ‘Ring’ meaning ‘ring’ or ‘circle’.
A similarly-spelled surname in Scotland, Ryngo, is derived from the Old Gaelic name ‘MacCause’ meaning ‘son of Causidh’ and is still found mainly in central Scotland.
Ringo is also commonly found as a given name throughout Europe.
In conclusion, while the surname Ringo is derived from the Old English word ‘hring’, its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin vary depending on where the surname originated from. Examples of these derivatives and variants include Ringoe, Ringu, Ryngo, Rinag, Ringe, Ringer, Ringeo, Rinngo, Ryng, Ryngge, Ryngue, Reingo, Rango and Ryngo.
Famous people with the name Ringo
- Ringo Starr: English musician, singer and actor best known as the drummer for the Beatles.
- George Ringo Jr.: American writer and lyricist, known for writing numerous hits for Elvis Presley.
- Garry Ringo: American professional basketball player.
- Richard Ringo: German Olympic athlete and hurdler.
- Gianni Ringo: Italian boxer, three-time heavyweight champion of Italy.
- Mary Ringo: American actress, best known for her lead role in the 2018 comedy movie "Wilde Girls".
- Edgar Ringo: Austrian actor and silent film director.
- Bernardo Ringo: Italian javelin thrower and Olympic athlete.
- Cherry Ringo: Japanese actor and singer, active in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Daisy Ringo: British soul singer, songwriter and actress.
- Oskar Ringo: Swedish Olympic greco-roman wrestler and silver medalist in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
- Derek Ringo: American football player, active in the 2000s.
- Ella Ringo: Australian Paralympic athlete, specialized in the 100m sprint and long jump.
- David Ringo-Perez: Venezuelan visual artist, active in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Marion Ringo: American jazz musician, active in the 1920s.