Renwick is a unique and distinctive name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic language, with "Rinn" meaning "corner" or "angle," and "Ciugh" signifying "wood." Therefore, Renwick can be interpreted as "corner of the wood."
The surname Renwick originated in the region known as Galloway, located in southwest Scotland. The name is believed to have been brought to this area by Norse settlers who arrived during the Viking Age (8th-11th centuries). As such, Renwick is considered a Scandinavian-inspired Scottish surname.
Throughout history, people with the surname Renwick have made notable contributions in various fields. Some notable figures include:
* John Renwick (1793–1876), a Scottish engineer who was instrumental in designing and building many of London's bridges.
* Thomas Renwick (1780-1854), an American naval officer during the War of 1812.
Today, Renwick remains a relatively rare name, with its unique origin and history making it stand out. It is often found among Scottish families but has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration patterns over centuries.
The name Renwick has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over the past century in the United States, with a total of 544 babies being named Renwick since 1917.
The highest peak in popularity occurred in 1957, with 25 births that year. This was followed by another high point in 1960, also with 25 births. The name's popularity appeared to be on an upward trend during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with several years seeing double-digit numbers of newborn Renwicks.
However, the late 1960s and 1970s saw a significant drop in the number of babies named Renwick. Between 1968 and 1974, the annual births ranged from a high of 26 in 1969 to a low of 5 in 1973 and 1974. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with only a few years exceeding 10 births per year.
More recently, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Renwick. In both 2017 and 2021, there were 5 babies named Renwick, suggesting that this unique name may be regaining some favor among parents in recent years.