Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Iwerne 1086 DB

• Iwerne Randelleston 1257 Ass

• Randolveston(e) 1274,1277 Pat 1277 Ch 1488 Ipm

• Randelfeston(e) 1273 Ipm 1280 QW

• Radulueston', Randulfeston' 1280 Ass

• Randolf(e)ston(e) 1288 1431 FA

• Randalfston(e) 1348 Ipm

• Randel(e)sto(u)n 1346,1403 Pat

• Randolston 1362 1428 FA

• Randolfeston als. Randeleston 1399 IpmR

• Radulftone 1547 Ct

• Ranston 1795 Boswell

Etymology

Ranston (ST 863122), Iwerne 1086 DB, Iwerne Randelleston 1257Ass , Randolveston (e )1274, 1277 Pat, 1277 Chet freq , with variant spellings Randolueston (e ), Randalueston (e ), Randulueston (e ), Randulveston (e ), Randelveston (e ), Randalveston (e ), to 1488 Ipm, Randelfeston (e )1273 Ipm, 1280 QW, Radulueston ', Randulfeston '1280Ass , Randolf (e )ston (e )1288 ibet freq to 1431 FA, Randalfston (e )1348 Ipm, Randel (e )sto (u )n 1346, 1403 Pat, Randolston 1362 ib, 1428 FA, Randolfeston als. Randeleston 1399 IpmR, Radulftone 1547Ct , Ranston 1795 Boswell, 'Randulf's manor', a post-Conquest name in tūn like Pierston in Gillingham par. supra (v. IPN 131). For the DB identification, v. Eyton 63, 137, VCHDo 390, DBGazetteer 125. The Randulf in question has not been traced with certainty, but the place may perhaps have taken its name from Randulf Avenel, grandfather of Hawise de Courtenay, v. Hutch3 485, cf. par. name supra , Fägersten 12 fn. 1.