Ralph
A Norman-introduced surname from the medieval personal name Radulfus, meaning roughly “counsel wolf.”
The #4,358 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 37,869 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Ralph comes from the medieval given name Radulfus, brought to England by the Normans after the Conquest. The name goes back to Germanic elements usually analyzed as rād or ráð, meaning “counsel,” and wulf, meaning “wolf.” In surname use, Ralph is typically a patronymic or hereditary family name formed from that personal name.
History
The personal name became established in England after 1066 and then spread widely as a source of hereditary surnames. Historical spellings and related surnames include Relf, Realf, Raw, Rawes, Rawson, Rawlings, Rawlinson, Roaf, and Rolfe. Some older writers also note confusion with similar names such as Rolf and Randolph.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Lower specifically notes that Ralph helped generate a surprisingly large family of related surnames, including Rawlinson and Rolfe.
From the historical record
“RALFE Icontr. of i Radulf, Radulph, q.v. RALPH J 2 Randolf, Randolph, q.v. There has been some confusion with Rolf, q.v. RALFS, Ralf's (Son) : v. Ralf. RALPHS, Ralph's (Son) : v. Ralph. RAM \ (Teut.) i a nickname and sign-name”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)