Surname Ring - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Ring Surname: A DNA Test's Impact on Personal Identity and Heritage

The reflection on the impact of the iGENEA DNA test on my understanding of personal identity and heritage, particularly in relation to the surname Ring. This tale traces my journey from ignorance to enlightenment, offering a richer perspective on the significance of my surname.

F. Ring

Ring: What does the surname Ring mean?

The surname Ring is of Anglo-Saxon origin and primarily traced back to the United Kingdom, especially England. The name is mainly occupational, derived from the Old English word "Hring", meaning ring. This could refer to someone who may have been a jeweler, a moneyer (an official who mints coins), or even potentially a maker of barrel hoops or wheelwright. Furthermore, it could also refer to someone who lived near a ring-like geographical feature, such as a hill, or a ringed moat, hence making it a topographical surname. It should be noted that the word "ring" was often used in the Medieval period to denote a circular-shaped settlement. Additionally, it's possible the name is derived from a personal name, such as the Anglo-Saxon masculine name Hring. On another note, Ring can potentially be of German-Jewish origin where it is either an ornamental name or derived from "ringle," a topographic name for someone who lived by a strip of fallow land. As with any surname, each family lineage may have their unique interpretations and origins of the name based on their historical context.

Ring: Where does the name Ring come from?

The surname Ring is most common in northern and western Europe, particularly in German speaking countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to World Names Profiler, the Ring surname is most prevalent in Switzerland where it is the 41st most popular surname, while in Germany it is the 233rd most common.

The Ring surname is thought to be an occupational name, with the root word referring to people who worked as metal-cutters or lived in locations that could be identified by terms that translated to "ring" or a round object. It is also possible that the name has an alternate origin in what is known as a dwarven ring, a type of ringed wall or fence constructed for a special purpose.

The Ring surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, mainly Scandinavia, with the most significant group found in Norway. In the United States and Britain, the Ring name is most common in areas with large numbers of German immigrants, like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Lastly, the Ring name also appears in Australia, where it is quite rare and ranks as 487th in popularity.

Variations of the surname Ring

The surname Ring is an occupational name originating from the medieval minstrel trade. The name was given to those who performed melodies on a ringed instrument, such as a lyre. The name is first recorded in Germany in the 1300s. Over the centuries, the name has taken on numerous spelling variations, including Ringe, Reng, Reinge and Reing.

In countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Denmark, the most common variant of the surname Ring is "Ringe". In the Netherlands and Belgium, the common form is "Reinge". In Sweden and Finland, the main spelling is "Reng". In Austria it is "Rengl".

There are many different surnames that can be derived from the same origin as the surname Ring. Examples include the French name Annequin which comes from the Latin word Anianus meaning “ringed”. The Scandinavian name Halling is also derived from the word “ringed”. Other variations include Ringer, Ringerl, Rinck, Rincke, and Rinkewitz.

The surname Ring can also be found spelled in various ways among Jewish descendants. Examples of these variants are Ringel, Rengl, Ringelsky, and Ryngl. There are also variants such as Rinck, Reinke, and Reihing which are found in various German-speaking countries.

In summary, the surname Ring has numerous variants that arise from multiple countries and various languages. Each variation is reflective of the family’s history and origin.

Famous people with the name Ring

• Björn Kristian "B.K." Ring: A successful Norwegian-born martial artist and entrepreneur.
• Johnny Ring: An American Major League Baseball player.
• Paul Ring: An American-born documentary filmmaker.
• Deborah Ring: An American film, television, and theatre actress.
• Jimmy Ring: An American Major League Baseball infielder.
• Eric Ring: An American-born professional outdoor basketball player.
• Charles Ring: An American professional basketball player.
• Chris Ring: An American professional wrestler.
• Katherine Ring: An American-born television producer.
• Tara Ring: An American-born singer and actress.
• C.J. Ring: A professional wrestler from the United States.
• Shannon Ring: An American professional football player.
• Joshua Ring: An American professional basketball player.
• Alexander Rasmus Ring: A Finnish professional footballer.
• Gustav Ring: An Austrian-born painter and graphic artist.
• Zander Ring: A Scottish-born professional golfer.
• Jonathan Ring: An American-born actor.
• Christian Ring: A professional ice hockey player from Germany.
• David Ring: An American-born television actor.
• Spencer Ring: An American-born major league baseball player.

Other surnames

RinardRinbergRincherRinconRinderknechtRindfleischRinehardtRinehartRineheartRinerRineyRingblomRingbloomRingdahlRingdalRingeisenRingelRingelerRingelheimRingelsRingeltaubeRingenRingenbergRingerRingeringRingermutRingermuthRinggenbergRinggold