Rangel
What is the origin of the last name Rangel?
Meaning and origin
Over time, the name Rangel spread across the Spanish-speaking world, including regions of Latin America, contributing to its prevalence.
The longer story
The last name Rangel has its origins in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. It is derived from the word "rangel" which means a wandering, unenclosed pasture or a person who herds livestock. This suggests that the name likely carried occupational connotations, referring to someone involved in cattle herding or a similar profession.
In terms of geographical distribution, the surname Rangel is most commonly found in Mexico and Latin American countries, reflecting its Hispanic roots. However, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and globalization.
Research indicates that the surname Rangel may have originated during the period of Moorish rule in Spain, as cultural and linguistic influences from this time have shaped many Spanish surnames. This connection supports the theory that the name has a Moorish influence.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#578
Rangel was the 578th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 57,549 people, about 20 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Rangel
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Rangel is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.