This is a question that I am often asked....
and while I don't have a great answer for it I thought I'd give it a try. Our ranch began in Alberta in the 1880's and after doing some research it would seem that the spelling for ranch at the time may have include the "e" on the end. At this time the famous Cochrane Ranche along with the A7 Ranche both spelled their names with an "e". So maybe we just wanted to be like the Cochrane's.....or maybe it was the way of the times........
Another speculation is a family storey which is that the local bank man came around and told everyone that someone was forging cheques from various outfit's and that if we put an "e" on the end of ranch he would know which were forgeries....
Coming from English roots we have speculated that maybe that was and old english spelling...but my research to date does not agree... the closest derivative or ranch I could come to was in a Vaquero Dictionary:
Rancheral: 1847...an adjective meaning of or pertaining to a ranch
Ranchero: 1826 was documented as a term used in the Southwest or California meaning "rancher or cattlemen"....occasionally "cowboy"
So while to the best of my knowledge we were not Mexican...it's the best I can do !!
Whatever the reason we are a "RANCHE" and not a "RANCH"...it has given us all something to talk about....and everyone's got a different storey
I imagine when my ancestor "J.T" came west and established the ranche he liked the idea of being "just a bit different" and if nothing else it has made for good conversation over the years !!!
Jennifer
And Peter (smart alec).....maybe it is a Twin Butte thing...or else I'd live in Twin Butt....who would want to live there ??? lol
