Surname Rooke - Meaning and Origin
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Rooke: What does the surname Rooke mean?
The last name Rooke is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century word "hroc" which means "rook" or "crow". It was probably a nickname for someone who was believed to bear a fancied resemblance to the bird, either in terms of physical attributes or behavior. Alternatively, it could be a "topographical" surname for someone who lived by a rookery or an occupational name for a catcher of rooks. The surname first appeared in the early 13th century records. Variations of the surname include Rook, Roke, Rooks, Rookes, Rokes, Rooker, and possibly others. It is more common in England especially in the southern and eastern counties. Notably, the name also belongs to several well-known individuals such as British physicist Robert Rooke, American artist John R. Rooke, and Canadian author Eden Rooke.
Order DNA origin analysisRooke: Where does the name Rooke come from?
The last name Rooke is a surname that is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland today. It is an old Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the Middle English word rok meaning 'prominent' or 'steep'. In England, it is most common in the region of Devon, where it can be found in the towns of Okehampton, Ottery St. Mary, and Tavistock. This lineage has also spread to countries such as Australia and New Zealand, with the spelling sometimes changing to "Rook".
One of the earliest records of the name Rooke found in the UK can be dated back to 1346 when Thomas Rook of Bernamston was mentioned in the Sussex Subsidy Rolls. This record indicates that the family had settled there since at least the early 1300s. Moreover, a will for a John Roke of Cheddington was proved in 1532 in Buckinghamshire.
The presence of the surname Rooke historically extended further than the UK and Ireland. There is evidence of it being present in France, the Netherlands, and Germany. In the American colonies, records have been found of the spelling "Rook" and some suggest that they are descendant from the same source. With the rampant emigration from Europe to America in the 19th century, the migration of the surname across the Atlantic was also inevitable. By 1960, surname Rooke had spread across the United States and it is most common in states such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Variations of the surname Rooke
The surname Rooke is of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be found in Britain, the United States, and other English-speaking countries. Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Rook, Rukes, Rookes, Ruke, Rucks, Rukker, Rurik, and Rohka.
Rook is believed to be derived from the Old Norse byname 'Rogr', which contains a personal name element meaning 'ruler'. Rukes may be a variation of the same name. Rookes is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Rook. Ruke may have been a shortened form of the original name.
Rucks is believed to be derived from the Old Norse byname 'Raðkollr' and is thought to originate in central Europe. Rukker may have been a variant of the original surname, while Rurik is likely a shortened form of the Russian male name. Rohka is a variant spelling of Rooke, and originates from the Scottish-Gaelic form of Rogr, Rogue.
Overall, the surnames Rooke, Rook, Rukes, Rookes, Ruke, Rucks, Rukker, Rurik, and Rohka all have the same origin, and share the same meaning of 'ruler'.
Famous people with the name Rooke
- William Rooke: William Rooke was a British landscape painter and poet of the Romantic era.
- Josh Rooke-Ley: Josh Rooke-Ley is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Sydney Swans in the AFL.
- William Richard Rooke: William Richard Rooke was an English landscape painter and engraver.
- Gordon Rooke: Gordon Rooke was an English footballer who played for Grays Athletic as a winger.
- John Rooke: John Rooke was an English professional footballer who spent most of his career playing for Bristol Rovers.
- Duncan Rooke: Duncan Rooke is a British composer and guitarist.
- Peter Rooke: Peter Rooke is a British-born Canadian actor, best known for his roles in film and television.
- John Davidson Rooke: John Davidson Rooke was an English composer and organist.
- Kruz Rooke: Kruz Rooke is an Irish Singer-Songwriter from Dublin.
- Edward Rooke: Edward Rooke was an English painter and engraver.