Surname Rockells - Meaning and Origin

Rockells: What does the surname Rockells mean?

The last name Rockells is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the name Rockefeller, which is an Americanized form of the German surname "Rockelman." The original bearer of the name may have hailed from a place called "Rockelmann," likely located somewhere in what is now modern-day Germany. This locale probably served as a source of the family name.

The meaning of the name Rockells could be translated to mean “rock-man” or “rock dealer,” referring to a man who worked in a trade dealing in rocks or stone. Alternatively, it could refer to someone who made a living from rocks as a miner, quarryman, mason or stonemason. This could also allude to someone who constructed or adorned buildings with stone or stonework.

The name has been found in records dating back to as early as the 14th century, when it was registered in the "Würzburg Register of Persons." It was also found in England during the 16th century, when it appeared on the rolls of Berkshire County. Today, Rockells is a fairly uncommon surname in the Anglosphere, found mostly in the United States in small numbers. However, variants of the name, including Rockwell, Rockefeller, Rookwell, and Rockelman, are all commonly found in the family tree.

Rockells: Where does the name Rockells come from?

The last name Rockells is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. It is an English surname that dates back to the Middle Ages. Rockells can be found in Gloucestershire, Kent, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire, all predominantly rural areas of England. The name has also spread through emigration to North America, Australia, and various parts of the world.

Rockells is thought to be derived from the Olde English name "Rookhayle," which means "dweller by the rook or bits of wood." Records of the surname from the 12th century indicate that it was likely used to denote someone who lived near a lake or marshland. The name was also likely used in reference to a similar sounding name, "Rookfeld," which is thought to refer to an area of agricultural land which was enclosed with a wooden fence.

Today, Rockells is considered to be a typical English surname, being held by a small but significant number of people. In 2018, the first name's estimated occurrences globally were 2,187, the vast majority of which were in the UK. This makes it one of the 6,500 most common surnames in England and Wales, the 5,000th most common in Scotland, and the 17,000th most common in the United States.

Variations of the surname Rockells

The surname Rockells is of French origin and has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It typically originates from the Old French word “rocquel”, which means “stone.”

The contemporary spelling of the surname Rockells generally appears in its work form, Rockle. This spelling is prevalent in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it has been recorded since the 14th century. Other spellings include Rochell, Rocquelle, Rokell, Roker, Rokey, Rockill, Rochill and Rochille.

Variants of the robe have also existed in French culture since the 16th century. Often, these variants of the surname take the form of “de” or “du” plus Rocque, as in de Rocque or du Rocque.

In the United States, variations of the surname Rockells are fairly common. Most of these are anglicised spellings of the original French root, such as Rockwell, Rocks, Rockwood, and Rockerfeller. In addition, surnames such as Rocky, Rocker, Rockland, and Rockleigh could also be derived from the same root.

It is possible,but not necessarily proven, that other surnames are related to the Rockells. These surnames can include Rockman, Rockingham, Rockliffe, and Rockspringe.

Overall, the surname Rockells has many variants and offshoots, with some still found around the Western world today.

Famous people with the name Rockells

• Sir Anthony Rockells: Baronet of Newfoundland; Member of the Newfoundland Assembly and Canadian House of Commons
• Matthew Rockells: Canadian professional ice hockey player
• David Rockells: American songwriter and producer
• Sarah Rockells: New Zealand nurse, politician and advocate for women’s rights
• John Rockells: New Zealand barrister known for his work advocating for the rights of indigenous people in New Zealand
• Laura Rockells: British Member of the European Parliament for South East England
• Union Rockells: American professional basketball player
• Andrew Rockells: New Zealand-born author and poet
• Henry Rockells: Canadian aviation pioneer
• George Rockells: British businessman and philanthropist

Other surnames

RockelRockelein