John Ronald, of Campsie

RANALD: The Anglicized form of Gaelic Raonull, itself a borrowing from ON. Rognvaldr, 'ruler of (from) the gods,' or 'ruler of counsel,' in MacVurich (Rel. Celt., II, p. 156) it is Raghnall and Ragnall, and in the ms. of 1467 it is Ragnall. The genitive form occurs in a poem in the Dean of Lismore's collection as Rynilt, i.e. Raghnailt. In Easter Ross the name is pronounced Raoghalt (i.e. Ra'olt), and Maccodrum in his Taladh Iain Mhuideartaich spells it (Clann) Ra'ull (for Raonall). Ranald Macdonald, son of Alasdair Mhaighistir Alasdair, was known as Ra'oll Dubh. The devocalization of final ll suggested to non-Gaelic ears that a d followed (compare under Donald). John Rannald was burgess of Glasgow, 1463 (REG., 389), and Patrick Rannald held a tenement in Linlithgow, 1472 (Sc. Ant., XVII, p. 118). Thomas Rawnald was burgess of Dumbarton, 1500 (LCD., p. 204), and Malcolm Ranalde held a tenement in Glasgow, 1506 (REG., 485). The style of Mac Mhic Raghnaill applied to the chiefs of Keppoch is from Raghnall, beheaded at Elgin in 1547. From this comes Macranald (G. M'Raonuill). See also Raonaild.

— The Surnames of Scotland (1946) by George Fraser Black (1866-1948)