This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon and Scottish origin, and has two possible sources, the first being from the Middle English (1200 - 1500) given name "Randel", a diminutive of "Rand(e)", with the Anglo-Norman French hypocoristic suffix "-el"; "Rand" is a short form of any of the various Germanic compound personal names with the first element "rand", (shield) rim, as in Randolph. The second source is an apocopated form of the Olde English pre 7th Century personal names with the first element "rand", (shield) rim, as in Randolph. The second source is an apocopated form of the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name "Randwulf" or "Randulf", from the Old Norse "Rondulfr", derived from the elements meaning "shield" and "wolf". The first recording of the surname in Scotland was of one Harry Randell, in Orkney in circa 1436, and the personal name was first recorded as "Randal", in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1204. The modern surname can be found as Randall, Randell, Randle(s), Rendall, Rendell and Rendle(s). One William Randall, aged 26 yrs., was an early emigrant to America, leaving London on board the "Expectacon", bound for the Island of Providence, in April 1635. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Randel, which was dated 1250, in the "Feet of Fines", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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