Ringer

The surname Ringer is believed to have originated in Germany, where it first emerged in the 14th century. It is derived from the German word "Ring," which refers to a circular band or object, as well as the old German occupational term "Ringmacher," meaning a maker of rings or objects with rings.

The name is thought to have initially referred to individuals who worked as ring makers, metalworkers, or artisans involved in the production of rings or other circular objects. It may also have been applied to those living near a circular or ring-shaped geographical feature, such as a bend in a river or a circular earthwork.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ringer can be found in the 1381 census records of the city of Regensburg in Bavaria, where a certain Hans Ringer is listed as a resident. Another early reference is found in the 1437 tax records of Nuremberg, which mention a Jacob Ringer.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various records across German-speaking regions. For example, a Matthias Ringer is recorded in the 1532 church records of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, while a Hans Ringer is mentioned in the 1589 municipal records of Augsburg.

As the name spread across Europe, variations in spelling emerged, such as Rynger, Ringher, and Ringere. A notable early bearer of the name was Martin Ringer, a German mathematician and astronomer born in 1585 in Augsburg, who made significant contributions to the development of logarithms and trigonometric tables.

In the 17th century, the name Ringer began to appear in records beyond Germany, as bearers of the name migrated to other parts of Europe and later to the Americas and other parts of the world. Johann Ringer, a German immigrant to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century, is considered one of the earliest known bearers of the name in North America.

Other notable individuals with the surname Ringer throughout history include:

1. Johann Ringer (1700-1768), a German-born architect and builder who designed several churches and public buildings in Pennsylvania. 2. Friedrich Ringer (1832-1908), a German-born physician and physiologist who made important discoveries in the field of electrolyte balance and is credited with developing the Ringer's solution used in intravenous therapy. 3. Edith Ringer (1887-1973), a British artist and illustrator known for her botanical illustrations and watercolor paintings. 4. Sir Sydney Ringer (1835-1910), an English physician and pharmacologist who made significant contributions to the study of the effects of drugs on the cardiovascular system. 5. Llewellyn Ringer (1920-2005), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Ringer Corporation, a successful construction and engineering firm.