James Rankin (1844 – January 5, 1921) was an American lighthouse keeper. A native of Killashee, County Longford, Ireland, Rankin emigrated to the United States in 1867. He served as the keeper of East Brother Island Light in California from 1877 to 1878, when he was transferred to Fort Point Light in San Francisco, where he remained until retiring in 1919. During his tenure he was credited with saving some 18 lives. Rankin died in Antioch, California, where he had moved soon after retiring. The United States Coast Guard has named a buoy tender USCGC James Rankin (WLM-555) in his honor.