Ranta Family History

Finnish: topographic name from Finnish ranta ‘shore’, or an ornamental name from the same word. First recorded in the 16th century, it was noted as the most frequently adopted ornamental surname at the celebrations in honor of the Finnish statesman Snellman on May 12, 1906. It occurs most frequently in western and southern coastal regions of Finland. In America, Ranta may be a shortened form of various other names formed with this element, such as Hietaranta.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press