Surname Ringdal - Meaning and Origin

Ringdal: What does the surname Ringdal mean?

The surname Ringdal is of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Norway. It is a topographic name for someone who lived in a circular valley or a clearing in the woods. The name is derived from the Old Norse elements "ringr", meaning ring, often used to denote something circular, and "dalr", meaning valley. It suggests that the initial bearers of the last name dwelt in such a geographical location. Scandinavian names often were derived from the geographical features of the places where families lived. However, keep in mind that the meaning of a surname can vary based on geographical origin and historical usage.

Ringdal: Where does the name Ringdal come from?

The last name Ringdal is primarily found in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway. According to the Norway census of 2019, approximately 3,154 individuals have the last name Ringdal. It is most often found in or near major cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. Beyond Norway, Ringdal is also a common surname in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.

In addition to the Scandinavian countries, the last name Ringdal is also found in other parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada. In Germany, large numbers of Ringdals are to be found in the historic province of Prussia, located in what is now northeastern Germany. It is also quite common in France and in the Low Countries, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. Outside Europe, significant populations with the last name Ringdal can be found in Australia and New Zealand.

Though the name Ringdal is rarely found in other parts of the world other than Scandinavia and its neighbouring countries, it is still widely distributed throughout Europe, North America, and Oceania. It is likely that the name is derived from the Old Norse ‘Hringdalr’ which means something like ‘rounded valley.’

Variations of the surname Ringdal

Ringdal is a Scandinavian patronymic surname. It is derived from the father's name, Ragnar, and means “son of Ragnar”. It is mainly found in Norway, but is also present in Denmark and Sweden. It is uncommon outside of Scandinavia.

The primary spelling of Ringdal is as it is spelled. Other variants include Ringdalen, Ringdall, Ringdallen, and Ringdaler. There may be other spellings, depending on the specific area where the surname is found.

Surnames that are similar in origin and have the same basic meaning include: Rångdal, Rengdal, Råndal, Rahngal, and Rindal.

The use of patronymics as a means of identification is being replaced by more modern given names, so the Ringdal surname is becoming less and less common. It is possible, though, to find more contemporary variations of the surname. For example, the use of Ringdahl, Ringdalen, and Ringdall are becoming more widespread.

The objective of this research is to provide some context on the origin of the Ringdal surname and to show its variants. While a common name in Scandinavia, it’s quite rare outside of this region. With the increasing use of more modern surnames, the Ringdal surname is becoming less and less common.

Famous people with the name Ringdal

• Ingrid Ringdal, Norwegian actress
• Vidar Ringdal, Norwegian politician
• Christian Ringdal, Norwegian writer
• Emil Ringdal, Norwegian jazz saxophonist
• Ørjan Ringdal, Norwegian football player
• Dag-Eilev Fagermo Ringdal, Norwegian football player
• Anita Ringdal, Norwegian historian
• Tore Ringdal, Norwegian saxophonist
• Lars Ringdal, Norwegian professor of surgery
• Steinar Ringdal, Norwegian bobsledder

Other surnames

Ringdahl