Ronald

Ronald is a surname of Scottish and English origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Rögnvaldr," which means "powerful decision" in Old Norse.

Origins

The surname Ronald traces its roots back to the Norse Vikings who settled in Scotland. The name became popular in Scotland during the medieval period and eventually spread to England.

Distribution

The surname Ronald is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Aberdeenshire, Angus, and Fife. It is also present in England, with concentrations in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London.

Notable Individuals

  • Ronald Fisher (1890-1962) - a prominent British statistician and geneticist.
  • Ronald Colman (1891-1958) - an English actor who starred in numerous films in the 1920s and 1930s.
  • Donald Ronald (1915-2005) - a Scottish footballer who played as a forward for various clubs.

Variants

Variants of the surname Ronald include Reynold, Reginald, and Reynolds. These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time and its adaptation to different language and dialect influences.

In contemporary times, the surname Ronald continues to be passed down through generations, maintaining a link to its Norse and Scottish heritage.


This content is for informational purposes only.

There are approximately 1,496 people named Ronald in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,356th most common surname in Britain. Around 23 in a million people in Britain are named Ronald.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Alexander
  • Andrew
  • David
  • Ian
  • Ivan
  • James
  • John
  • Robert
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Alison
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jean
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sarah
  • Sharon
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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