Surname Rookwood - Meaning and Origin
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Rookwood: What does the surname Rookwood mean?
The last name Rookwood is an English habitational surname from various places in England, possibly deriving from Old English terms meaning ‘raven wood’. These places would have been located near a wood full of ravens. Other theories suggest a derivation from one such place in Cambridgeshire, called Rookwood.
The evolution of the surname is likely to have happened in multiple locations. It appears that the term Rookwood has been in use since at least the 13th century, although the surname itself did not become fixed until much later, probably in the 16th century. As such, the name is associated with early English history and the ancient forests and places of that time.
The surname has become quite widespread today, particularly in North America. American variants of the name range from Rookwood to Rookwoode and Rookwoodd. These may have evolved over time as the pronunciation of ‘rookwood’ changed in American English.
Whichever place or countries a person with the surname Rookwood may call home, the name is connected to English roots and carries with it the legacy of the original place named ‘Rookwood’.
Order DNA origin analysisRookwood: Where does the name Rookwood come from?
The last name Rookwood is not particularly common today, but it does have a rich history. The surname originates in England, and records show it was borne by a family in Cambridgeshire in the 12th century. The family moved south and settled in Suffolk and Kent.
Many families with the Rookwood surname live in the United Kingdom and United States. The English surname has spread all over the former British Empire and is found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. There is also a large concentration of Rookwoods in the midlands in the UK, including Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.
Today, Rookwood can also be found on the other side of the English Channel in France. It is more of a rare name in France, but it can still be found in the regions of Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine.
Besides the United Kingdom and USA, Rookwood is also a prevalent surname in the rest of the English-speaking world including India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The Rookwood name is also prevalent in Portugal and Brazil, thanks to English traders and merchants who settled in these countries in the 19th century.
Despite its long heritage, the Rookwood name is not a particularly common surname today. However, with its roots stretching across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, the family name certainly has a worldwide presence.
Variations of the surname Rookwood
The surname Rookwood is a very old English surname that has its roots back to the very early days of surnames. It is believed to have come from the ancient town of Rokewode near Reading in Berkshire. The earliest recorded use of this surname dates back to 1235 when Thomas de Rokewode appeared in the Berkshire court rolls. Over time, the spelling of the name has changed somewhat and it can now be found in many different variants. Some of the more common spellings include Rookewood, Rookwood, Rookwode, Rocwood, Rokewood, Rookfeld, and Rockewode.
Surnames derived from Rookwood include Rooker, Rookerley, Rookely, Rookerlye, Rooks, Rookfield, Rookerleye, and Rookleye. All of these surnames are derived from the original Rookwood surname and can be seen all over the British Isles throughout various generations, particularly in the south and Midwest regions of England.
Despite the name changing over time, the meaning and origin of the name remains the same – a town north of the Thames near Reading, Berkshire. As such, people with this surname are likely to be related, even if they have a different spelling. So, if you have any of these surnames, you may well be related to someone with the same surname and similar spellings.
Famous people with the name Rookwood
- Joss Rookwood: British actor, known for starring in films such as The Inbetweeners Movie and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
- Emma Rookwood: British singer who has opened for artists such as Ed Sheeran and The Cure.
- Sam Rookwood: Former England and Warwickshire rugby player.
- Sarah Rookwood: British Olympic equestrian show jumpers who represented Great Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
- Mica Rookwood: YouTube makeup artist known for her transformation videos.
- Mark Rookwood: British wildlife photographer and filmmaker.
- Jenni Rookwood: British model and Instagram influencer.
- Raymond Rookwood: British military surgeon and expert on tropical and infectious diseases.
- Luke Rookwood: British mixed-media artist.
- Abbey Rookwood: British actress known for her series regular role in the ITV drama series Home Fires.