The name Ransom is Old English in origin specifically from the Norman conquest. Ralf de Tankerville was the chamberlain for William the Conqueror, and from his name a number of given names were derived. From Ralf came: Raff, Ralph, Rand, Randall, Randolph, Rankin, Ransom, Ranson, Rawlings, Rawson and Rawle. The coat of arms is blue on a gold chevron, three red roses with a square at top left of ermine adornment all centered around a hawk's head holding a gold ring.
In modern time Ransom has come to mean redeemer, or son of the shield. The name Ransom can be found labeling universities, companies, libraries and hospitals. There is a Fort Ransom and Ransom county in Nevada. The Oldsmobile is named after Ransom Eli Olds. A 1996 film starring Mel Gibson and directed by Ron Howard was titled Ransom. The name is nearly impossible to separate from its common definition, which is the act of holding or kidnapping someone in exchange for a sum of money.