Ranulph Tarkin, hailing from Eriadu, was a human male and the paternal cousin of Wilhuff Tarkin. The resemblance he shared with his uncle, Wilhuff's father, was so striking that they could have easily been mistaken as twins. During the final decades of the Galactic Republic, he held a position as one of the most esteemed commanders within the Outland Regions Security Force. Tarkin once devised a strategy to exact revenge on Greater Seswenna raids committed against Eriadu Mining and Shipping by Q'anah's Marauders by implementing a computer virus within the hyperdrive systems of numerous container ships. However, Eriadu Mining declined to proceed with his plan due to cost considerations. Years afterward, when Wilhuff Tarkin had risen to the rank of lieutenant in the Outland's anti-piracy task force, the security force obtained intelligence regarding the specific containers targeted by Q'anah's Marauders, leading Eriadu Mining to finally approve funding for Ranulph Tarkin's scheme. His plan was successful, resulting in the capture and execution of the Pirate queen Q'anah.
Within the current Star Wars canon, Ranulph Tarkin's initial mention occurred in the 2014 novel titled Tarkin, authored by James Luceno. The character was originally conceived within the Star Wars Legends continuity, making his debut in the first issue of The Stark Hyperspace War story arc. This story arc was written by John Ostrander, with illustrations by Davidé Fabbri, and was published by Dark Horse Comics on November 28, 2001.