Surname Roxburgh - Meaning and Origin

Roxburgh: What does the surname Roxburgh mean?

The last name Roxburgh is a habitational Scottish surname. It is derived from a place name in the former county of Roxburghshire, located in the administrative region of the Borders near the Scottish-English border.

The place name Roxburgh originates from the Old English rōcs-burg, which translates to “burgh (i.e., fortified settlement) of the roe deer”, a reference to the abundant wildlife in the region when it was first established in the Middle Ages. Later on, the name was written as Roebuck Burgh or Roed buck Burgh in some historical documents.

People of the Roxburgh surname often trace their heritage to the medieval kingdom of Scotland. Records from this period indicate that the territory was first inhabited by Celts before being conquered by Angles and Saxons. Over time, Roxburgh had become an important center of trade, with many families having settled in the area. This would explain why the Roxburgh surname is found in parts of Scotland, England, and even parts of Europe.

The Roxburgh surname today is associated with achievements in the fields of medicine, politics, law, and even sport. Some of the most famous people to carry the Roxburgh surname include economist Lord John Moneysaxon Raxburgh, American actor Jonathan Eric Roxburgh, and Scottish football manager Steve Roxburgh.

It is clear that the Roxburgh surname has significant cultural and historical significance, spanning centuries of tradition and ancestry. It is also a reminder of the varied history of the place which gave it its name - the region of Roxburghshire.

Roxburgh: Where does the name Roxburgh come from?

The last name Roxburgh is most commonly found in Scotland today, but can also be found in other countries throughout the world. In Scotland, Roxburgh is a habitational name derived from any of the numerous places with the same name. These places are found primarily in the Borders and Midlothian regions of Scotland and were likely named for the river where the featuring place was developed, as "Roxburgh" is derived from the Old English words "hroc" meaning "rook" and "burg" meaning "fortress".

The Roxburgh name is also scattered throughout the English-speaking world. In the United States, Roxburgh is primarily found in states with Scots-Irish and Scots-English heritage, such as Virginia, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The name is also found in the U.K. and Australia.

Overall, the Roxburgh name maintains its strong Scottish and British origin. The surname has become somewhat of a "classic Scots name" and remains a popular surname in the areas it originated in. Its geographical spread over the world wide web is evidence that the Roxburgh name continues to have an active presence in modern society.

Variations of the surname Roxburgh

Surnames of the same origin as Roxburgh can take on many different spellings and variants. Some of the more common variants are Roxborow, Roxboro, Ricksburgh and Roxburg. Other variants that are less well-known, but could still be encountered include Roxbach, Roxbargh, Roxburghe, Roxburghs and Rookesburgh.

Although spelled differently, these variations all come from the same Norman name, which translates roughly to ‘dweller of a rocky stronghold’. It is interesting to note that this type of name originally described a geological reality, but gradually began to shift in usage and become attributed to a family name.

When looking into the origins of the Roxburgh surname, it’s worth noting that the name does not appear to be geographically bound. In other words, it’s not necessarily a surname that was borne by a singular family or region. That being said, many people who carry this surname claim descent from the historic line of the Earls of Roxburgh whose ancestral home is believed to be in the Scottish Borders.

It’s also interesting to note that many variations of the Roxburgh surname link up with surnames from other countries or areas. For instance, Rcksburg links to a Swedish surname, Rachebourg links with a French surname, and Rocksborough links to a German surname. Ultimately, this serves to show just how widespread the Roxburgh surname has become over time.

Famous people with the name Roxburgh

• Richard Roxburgh: an Australian actor, writer, producer and director, best known for his roles in films such as Moulin Rouge!, Rabbit Proof Fence and Van Helsing.
• Ernie Roxburgh: a former Australian rules football player who captained and coached the Richmond Football Club in the VFL/AFL between 1921 and 1933.
• Sir Peter Roxburgh: a British diplomat and former Governor of Gibraltar.
• Lisa Roxburgh: an Australian actress and presenter, best known for her roles in the Australian films The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Muriel's Wedding.
• Norman Roxburgh: a British Phycologist and Principal of King's College London from 1992 to 2003.
• Jean Roxburgh: a Canadian gemmology specialist and executive.
• Chris Roxburgh: a former professional rugby union player who represented Australia in the sport throughout the 1990s.
• Greg Roxburgh: a Canadian film and television composer.
• Jeanette Roxburgh: a British sculptor and professor of fine art at the University of Leeds.
• Stuart Roxburgh: a Scottish writer and journalist who has written for a variety of publications including The Guardian, Sunday Times and The Scotsman.

Other surnames

Roxburch