Surname Rains - Meaning and Origin
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Jewels of the Past: My Fascinating Journey Discovering the Roots of the Rains Surname with iGENEA
Armed with a profound curiosity about my surname, I ventured on a journey of self-discovery with iGENEA. What unfolded was a fascinating narrative about my family lineage, originating from medieval England. Packed with rich history, cultural roots, and ancient tradition, the journey left me with a newfound sense of identity.
N. Rains
read moreRains: What does the surname Rains mean?
The surname Rains has a few possible origins. It could be a topographical surname for someone who lived near a fence or a hedged enclosure, derived from the Old French word "rein". Alternatively, it might be of patronymic origin, coming from the Old German personal name "Raginhari", composed of elements which translate to "counsel" or "advice" and "army". The name gained popularity through the Normans in England after the 1066 invasion. In this sense, Rains could mean "son of Raginhari". Another possibility is that Rains comes from "Rain", a popular medieval first name. There are also multiple spellings such as Raine, Raines, Rayne, and Reins. Like many surnames, exact origins can be hard to trace due to regional variations, changes in spelling over centuries, and the transformation of names as families moved or immigrated. Therefore, while we can identify potential meanings and origins, we cannot affirm a definitive origin or meaning of the surname Rains.
Order DNA origin analysisRains: Where does the name Rains come from?
The surname Rains is most commonly found in the United States. It is believed to be of British and European origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. The earliest references to it are found in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Today, Rains is most common in the Southern United States, specifically in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. According to the United States Census of 2010, the surname was found most frequently in Georgia (5,369 individuals). Alabama followed, with 4,000 individuals and North Carolina was third, with 3,510.
The surname is also found in smaller numbers in Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, the surname Rains is found in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.
In the UK, the frequency is much lower; only 291 individuals used Rains as their surname in the 2011 census. Similarly, in other parts of Europe, the name is sparsely represented, especially outside of the British Isles.
In the United States, the Rains surname is usually associated with Presbyterian and Methodist religions and is usually of Gaelic origin. It is believed to have descended from Raines or Rays, two common family names in the British Isles. The Gaelic word reyn (meaning “king”) could also have a hand in the popularity of the name, as the surname could refer to a person with royal connections.
Variations of the surname Rains
The surname Rains is a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Rain or Reynold. It often appears with the spelling Raines, Rein, Reines, Rayne and Rains. Variants are also found in other languages, including Raine (French), Reyne (Spanish) and Rhyne (Swiss German).
Variant spellings of the surname Rains may have arisen from numerous origins, such as the geographical location of individuals, who took the name from the place where they lived; variations that arose from recordkeeping errors; and the development of local dialects that changed the spelling of the original name.
Other surnames of the same origin include Rainey, Raynes, Raines, Reins, Reynes, Rays, Rhynes, Rainsford, Rainford, Rainforth, Rainer, Reiner, Ryne, Royne and Raeynes.
Rains is a fairly common surname in the United States, England, and the rest of the British Isles. It is particularly common in the English counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Shropshire, Lincolnshire, East Sussex, and Gloucestershire.
The surname is also prevalent in Scotland, with branches of the family being descended from Fergus of Galloway and Aodh Rains (red Scotsman) in the 12th and 13th centuries. Other Scottish correlations include Rainys of Fife and Rans of Stirling.
The Rünne family of Germany has also adopted a similar spelling, and the Rains is one of the oldest and distinguished noble families of Scandinavia, dating back to the 12th century.
Famous people with the name Rains
- Judy Rains: A popular American vocalist in the 1960s who released two singles, “In a Moment of Weakness” and “Toading Man.”
- William Rains: A British composer, conductor, and arranger best known for his work on the 1970s soundtrack for the movie “The Three Musketeers.”
- Lawrence Rains: An English sculptor and contemporary public artist, best known for his Greysteel sculpture, which stands outside London's Borough Market.
- erry Rains: An American actor, most famous for his roles in television shows such as Dallas and Step by Step.
- Barbara Rains: A British costume designer who was known for her work on both the film version and the stage version of Titanic.
- Bob Rains: An American professional wrestler who was best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling.
- Jeff Rains: An American actor best known for his role in the 1988 horror-comedy, The Terror Within.
- Clifton Rains: A Canadian actor who starred in movies such as The Flesh and Blood Show and Doctor Blood’s Coffin.
- Jack Rains: An Australian poet and author, best known for his collection of short stories, “The War of the Races”.
- Lisa Rains: An American author, best known for her work “The Family Tree”.