This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Ranz family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Ranz Family History

Ranz Surname Meaning

German: from the ancient Germanic personal name Rando a short form of various names formed with rand ‘(shield) rim’ as the first element or from an Old Slavic name such as Ranožir formed with the element ran ‘early’. German: from Middle High German ranz ranze ‘strife’ or ‘sow’ or Middle High German rans ‘paunch’ a nickname from any of these senses. Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): artificial name assigned at random by Austrian officials from either German Rans ‘proboscis’ or German Ranze ‘sow’ (compare 2 above). Compare also Rantz.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Ranz family from?

You can see how Ranz families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ranz family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ranz families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there was 1 Ranz family living in Anglesey. This was 100% of all the recorded Ranz's in United Kingdom. Anglesey had the highest population of Ranz families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ranz surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Ranz ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Teacher were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Ranz. 27% of Ranz men worked as a Farmer and 34% of Ranz women worked as a Teacher. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ranz were Co Owner and Housework.

View Census Data for Ranz | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    27%
  • Salesman
    20%
  • Plumber
    8%
  • Co Owner
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Teacher
    34%
  • Maid
    34%
  • Housework
    34%

What Ranz family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Ranz. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ranz census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ranz

Passenger Lists

There are 451 immigration records available for the last name Ranz. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Ranz immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 479 military records available for the last name Ranz. For the veterans among your Ranz ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Ranz military records

You've only scratched the surface of Ranz family history

Discover More

What is the average Ranz lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Ranz life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1982, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Ranz in 1963 was 69, and 76 in 2004.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Ranz ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Ranz family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial