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I found this for you, the origin of the surname you are researching!.
Surname: Rankin
This long-established surname is of early medieval English and Scottish origin, and was developed from the medieval male given name "Rankin", a diminutive form of the given name "Rand(e)", with the hypocoristic suffix "-kin"!. Rand itself is a short form of any of the various (originally) Germanic compound personal names with the first element "rand" (shield) rim, such as Randolf, with the second element "wolf", wolf!. The diminutive form of the name is first recorded in Scotland, where Rankin de Fowlartoun is mentioned in Charters of the Royal Borough of Ayr in 1429!. Early examples of the surname include: Reginald Ranekyn (1296, Sussex); Ralph Rankin (1301, Yorkshire); John Randekyn (1381, Suffolk); and in Scotland, John Rankyne, burgess of Glasgow in 1456!. The surname has a long history in Scotland; it was found early in Ayrshire, where persons of the name were "small proprietors" before the end of the 16th Century!. One John Rankin was vicar of Girwane in 1504, and another John Rankin was vicar of Girwane in 1504, and another John Rankin was a tenant under the bishop of Aberdeen in 1511!. The christening of Jon(athan), son of Paull Rankin, was recorded at the Church of St!. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on May 12th 1657!. The Coat of Arms granted to a Rankin family depicts three red boars' heads couped between three red battleaxes on a silver shield, and in the centre a green quatrefoil!. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilbert Reynkyn, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Kent", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307!.
Hope this helps!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Ancestry!.com notes that the surname Rankin is of Scottish and Northern Irish origin, "from the medieval personal name Rankin, a diminutive of 'Ronald' or 'Rand', with the diminutive suffix 'kin'!."

The top places of origin for Rankin compiled from New York passenger lists are as follows:

Scotland 202
Ireland 166
England 100
Great Britain 28
Bermuda 10
Canada 8

In 1920, there were more Rankins in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (between 256 and 509 each) than anywhere else in the United States!. In 1840, there were more Rankins in Pennsylvania than elsewhere in the US!.

Bottom Line: Although the name appears to have originated in Scotland and from there spread to Northern Ireland and England, its up to the individual researcher to determine from where his or her Rankins immigrated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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not usre, but name sounds Scottish!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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