Runnels Surname

The History of the Surname Runnels

The surname Runnels has a long and fascinating history that dates back centuries. While the exact origins of the name are not entirely clear, it is believed to have originated as a locational surname. This means that it likely originated from a specific place name, such as a town, village, or geographical feature.

One theory suggests that the surname Runnels originated from the Old English word "runel," which means a small stream or brook. This would suggest that the original bearers of the surname lived near or around a small stream or brook.

Another theory proposes that the surname Runnels may have originated from the Old French word "rondel," which means a circular dance or song. This could suggest that the original bearers of the surname were involved in music or dance in some way.

Popularity and Distribution

The surname Runnels is most commonly found in the United States, where it has a relatively high incidence rate of 6611. This suggests that the surname is fairly common in the United States and has likely been passed down through generations in many families.

Outside of the United States, the surname Runnels has a much lower incidence rate. It is found in countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, and South Africa, with incidence rates ranging from 1 to 30.

Famous Individuals with the Surname Runnels

One of the most well-known individuals with the surname Runnels is Dustin Runnels, a professional wrestler who is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Dustin comes from a family of wrestlers, as his father, Dusty Rhodes, and half-brother, Cody Rhodes, were also successful wrestlers.

Another famous individual with the surname Runnels is Debbie Runnels, an American actress and model who is known for her work in television and film. Debbie has appeared in various popular television shows and movies throughout her career.

Variant Spellings

Like many surnames, the surname Runnels has several variant spellings that can make researching family history a bit more challenging. Some common variant spellings of the surname include Runnells, Runals, Runnels, and Runell.

These variant spellings can often be found in historical records, such as census data, immigration records, and birth and death certificates. When researching family history, it is important to keep these variant spellings in mind in order to find accurate information about ancestors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Runnels has a rich history and is associated with various theories regarding its origins. While it is most commonly found in the United States, the surname has a presence in several other countries around the world.

Famous individuals with the surname Runnels have made a mark in fields such as professional wrestling, acting, and modeling. Researching family history can be made more challenging by the presence of variant spellings, but with thorough research and attention to detail, accurate information can be found about ancestors with the surname Runnels.

The surname Runnels in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Exactly the same happens in the case of Runnels, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that can be found in the majority of the countries of this globe. In the same way you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of men and women because of the surname Runnels is more than in other countries.

The map of the Runnels surname

1. United States (6611)
2. Canada (30)
3. Australia (4)
4. Japan (4)
5. Germany (3)
6. Sweden (2)
7. Afghanistan (1)
8. Ethiopia (1)
9. Jamaica (1)
10. Russia (1)
11. Saudi Arabia (1)
12. Singapore (1)
13. Turkey (1)
14. South Africa (1)