Surname Roswell - Meaning and Origin
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Roswell: What does the surname Roswell mean?
Roswell is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'hross', meaning horse, and 'well(a)', meaning spring or stream. Therefore, Roswell can be interpreted as 'spring where horses drink' or 'horse spring.' It traces back to a place name in England from where the ancestors of bearers likely hailed. Over the years, it has become associated with the city of Roswell in New Mexico, USA, best known for the 1947 incident involving supposed recovery of an extra-terrestrial spaceship. Despite this infamous event, the name has a rather mundane geographical meaning and does not bear any connection with aliens or UFOs in its original etymology. It is also used as a given name, especially in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisRoswell: Where does the name Roswell come from?
Roswell is a common family name originating in England and Scotland. Historically, the Roswells can trace their ancestry to Scotland’s Borders region, and the surname originates from a place name - Roswell. Over time, it has spread to other areas of the world, including the United States. Today, Roswell is most common in the areas of England and Scotland where the family name originated, as well as in the United States.
In the United States, according to the Census Bureau, the most common places of residence for individuals with the last name Roswell are Georgia, California, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. This concentration of individuals with the surname Roswell in the United States is likely a result of immigration patterns that began in the late 1800s, when many individuals of Scottish and English descent immigrated to the United States.
In recent years, Roswell has also become popular internationally, with significant numbers of individuals bearing this last name found in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There is also a noteworthy concentration of individuals with the last name Roswell in France, Germany, and Spain.
Overall, the last name Roswell is still most commonly associated with its ancestral home of England and Scotland, but it has also spread to other parts of the world as a result of immigration and population growth.
Variations of the surname Roswell
The surname Roswell is rooted in Old English and refers to someone who once lived at a place with a “red stream.” It is an early medieval habitational surname, variant spellings and different surnames of the same origin include: Rawsell, Roussel, Rousell, Rowsill, Rudsell, Rosesell, Rosseau, Rousselle, Rouselle, Rousel, Rossel, Rostell, Roussell, Roysell and Rossell.
Rawsell is an English and French habitational surname, derived from the Old French word "roisel," which refers to a marshy area. This surname is derived from living at such a place, which was known as "Rousseles”.
Rousell is an English variant of Roswell, derived from living beside a “little stream” which was described in Old English as "rous."
Rowsill is an English variant of Roswell, derived from living near a place which was known as a "rowed stream," a term which likely refers to a variety of waterways in early medieval England.
Rudsell is an English habitational surname derived from a place called Roussell, in northern France.
Rosesell is an English and French variant of Roswell. It was a name given to someone who lived beside a “little stream,” which was described in Old French as “roisel.”
Rosseau is a French variant of Roswell. It is derived from the Latin name “Rodrigus,” which means "king-like" or "rule-bearing”.
Rousselle is an old French surname, derived from the Latin name “Rodrigus,” which means "king-like" or "rule-bearing.” This form of the surname was often used to describe people who lived beside bodies of water which were known as “rosceau.”
Rouselle is an old French variant of Roswell, derived from the Latin name “Rodrigus” which meant "king-like." It could also refer to a place which was known as “Rousel” or “Rousell.”
Rossel is an English variant of Roswell. It refers to an early medieval habitational surname derived from a place called Roussell, in northern France.
Rostell is an English variant of Roswell, derived from the Old English “rost-wella,” which means “red stream.”
Roussell is an English and French variant of Roswell, derived from the Latin name “Rodrigus,” which means "king-like" or "rule-bearing.”
Roysell is an English variant of Roswell, derived from the Old French word “roisel” which referred to living near a marshy area.
Rossell is an English variant of Roswell, derived from the Latin name “Rodrigus,” which means "king-like" or "rule-bearing." It is also derived from the Old English “rost-wella,” which refers to a “red stream.”
Famous people with the name Roswell
- Cynthia Roswell, singer-songwriter
- Lawrence Roswell, former nba player
- Leon Roswell, author and journalist
- Sam Roswell, British entrepreneur and investor
- Howard Roswell, Canadian-American actor and director
- David Roswell, Australian sports scientist
- Malia Roswell, British actress and screenwriter
- Oliver Roswell, former English footballer
- Andrew Roswell, Canadian professional racing driver
- Phil Roswell, American sports journalist