Surname Rowse - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rowse: What does the surname Rowse mean?
The surname Rowse is of English origin and is primarily found in the regions of Cornwall and Devon. It evolved from the Middle English term "rowse", meaning "a row", used to denote someone who lived in a row of houses or near a hedgerow. It could also possibly be derived from the Old French word 'rousse' or 'rous', meaning red or redhead, indicating the person's hair color. Additionally, it may have evolved from an Old English nickname 'Hrothwulf', a combination of the elements 'hrothi' meaning fame and 'wulf' meaning wolf. Therefore, the surname might have originated from either geographical references, physical characteristics, or personal attributes. It is also important to note that spelling variations over time and through migration include Rowse, Rouse, Rous, and others. Notable individuals with this surname include the British historian A.L. Rowse and American politician Tim Rowse.
Order DNA origin analysisRowse: Where does the name Rowse come from?
The last name Rowse is most commonly found in England today, where it has been a common surname since the 16th century. The earliest recorded instance of the surname is from 1529, in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls. The name is derived from a Norman-French word “Roes”, meaning “red”. It is thought to have derived from someone with a reddish complexion. The name Rowse is quite widespread in England, but is most commonly found in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Hampshire, which is where many of the earliest bearers of the surname came from.
The last name Rowse is also found in Australia and New Zealand, as many of the British settlements took their surnames with them when they travelled overseas in the 18th and 19th centuries. New Zealand, for example, has a large population of Rowses in areas such as the Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Canterbury.
It is also found in the United States, though it is quite rare, especially on the east coast. The largest concentration of Rowses is in the mid-west and California. The last name Rowse is likely to have travelled to the Americas with British settlers at some point between the 16th and 19th centuries. As a result of their travels, the name now has a global reach and is found in countries across the world.
Variations of the surname Rowse
The surname Rowse is a variant of the surname Rouse or Rowe. The variants and spellings of the surname Rowse include Rows, Rowce, Rowsey, and Rowzee. The surname is believed to be of English or Welsh origin, and there is also evidence of a possible French origin. It is believed to be an occupational surname derived from the Old French rous meaning red, which could refer to someone who was either a red-haired individual or one who dyed fabric. The name is also found in various parts of Scotland.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, the Scottish and Anglo-Norman name Rous/Rowe is thought to have been derived from the Old French rous, meaning red. This could mean that the surname originated from a red-haired individual, or from someone who dyed fabric. Another possibility is that the name refers to a gamekeeper or an employee of an estate called a “rowe” or a “financier” called a “rouse”.
The surname has been used as a given name since as early as the 1600s, and various spelling variations of the name have been found throughout the United Kingdom and United States. Variations found in the United States include Rowan, Rows, Rousey, Rowson, Roush, and Rouse. Variations in the UK include Rowse,Ruse, Rouse, and Rous.
In conclusion, the surname Rowse has many variants and spellings, but is thought to originate with the Old French word “rous” meaning red. It has also been used within multiple countries such as Scotland, the United Kingdom, and United States. Other similar surnames include Rous/Rowe, Rowan, Rousey, Rowson, Roush, and Rouse.
Famous people with the name Rowse
- A.L. Rowse: A British historian, poet, and author, known best for his work on Elizabethan England.
- Shane Rowse: A professional Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the St Kilda Football Club in the AFL.
- Aaron Rowse: An American actor, movie director, and executive producer most known for his work in Chance at Love, Aliens in the Family, and The Blind Side.
- Michael Rowse: A British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former journalist known for his role in the founding of the Step Change Debt Charity.
- Beatrice Rowse: An English actress known for her roles in Flick, Plebs, and The Lovers.
- Delores Rowsen: A Canadian operatic mezzo-soprano best known for her performances in Wagner's Ring Cycle.
- Audrey Rowse: An American photographer and author, famous for her collection of photographic self-portraits, 'The Me and My Shadow Series'.
- Angela Rowse: A British visual artist, known mostly for her photographic work on the history of women's suffrage.
- Matthew Rowse: An English actor who has appeared in films such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, War Horse, and Paddington 2.
- John Rowse: An American voice actor and announcer, best known for his work on the SXSW Film Festival.