English
Early records reveal that this surname originated in England. The etymological origin of the surname Rainbow can be found in the Germanic words "ragin" (counsel), and "bald" (brave). It's known that this name was introduced to Britain by the Normands. Obviously the name has been inspired by the natural phenomenon. The ravages of time are the worst enemies of written documents; while the stone that was used to construct castles, towers and others structures often assured that these precious monuments were to survive to the present day, old parchments were more often than not lost even dstroyed without leaving a trace.There are several names that are unusual yet are merely Germanic personal names altered to common syllables. Nonetheless, careful research has revealed that the first known bearer of this name was a certain Stephen Rainbow mentioned in a document dated 1524. Nothing further is recorded about the one who brought this name to America. Some of the variants of the surname are Rambaut, Rimbault and Renbolt. Some of this may have been one of the settlers of the time who succumbed to disease or to other hardship in the new world soon after their arrival, leaving behind no family of their own.