Surname Rowh - Meaning and Origin
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Rowh: What does the surname Rowh mean?
The surname Rowh does not have a widely recognized or specific meaning. It's very likely that it is a variation of a more common surname or could have been altered over time. The last name appears to have possible Western or Central European origins, but its specific country of origin and meaning are not clear. Like many last names, it could refer to a geographical location, certain traits, or a profession. The meaning of a surname can often be determined through genealogical research, as meanings may evolve over time or be altered due to family history, regional dialects, or migration. Therefore, it could be worthwhile for bearers of the surname Rowh to participate in family genealogy research to understand the history and potential meaning behind it. However, without concrete historical evidence or context, the precise meaning of the surname Rowh remains largely unknown.
Order DNA origin analysisRowh: Where does the name Rowh come from?
The surname Rowh is found most commonly today in the United States. There are several branches of the Rowh surname in the US that trace their roots back to the 1700s.
The majority of Rowhs in America stem from the Jacob Rowh and his son, Valentine, who traveled to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1735. They were part of the wave of German immigrants that immigrated to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century. Jacob and his son Valentine established themselves in Lancaster county and the Rowh surname has been present in the state ever since.
Since this early immigration, the Rowh surname has spread throughout the United States. Today, the surname can be found in several states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas.
Overall, the Rowh surname is a relatively uncommon one in the United States and it is difficult to pinpoint its exact origin. Although its presence can be seen around the country today, the surname still has its roots in German culture and its early 18th century immigration to Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Rowh
The surname Rowh and the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are as follows:
- Roh: Americanized spelling
- Roe: English version
- Rowe: Anglicized spelling
- Roa/Roah: Irish version
- Rah: Anglicized spelling in Scotland
- Rhan: Welsh spelling
- Rho/Rhoe/Rhoh: German versions
- Rou/Roux/Rouh: French/Flemish version
The surname Rowh is believed to originate from the Old German personal name 'Hroo,' derived from the word 'hro,' meaning 'fame.' This name is likely to have arrived in Britain/Ireland during the Norman invasion in the 11th century and again through other Germanic settler migration after the 15th century, altering to the modern forms Roe, Rowe, Roh, Roa/Roah in English, and Rho/Rhoe/Rhoh in the German regions.
In Wales, the supposed origin of the name is from 'rhiw,' meaning 'slope,' referring to someone living on the side of a hill. This lent to surnames such as Rhan and Rah when adopted in Britain. Similarly, in Northern France and Flanders, the surname was likely derived from the French/Flemish word 'voel,' meaning 'and,' reflected in surnames such as Rou/Roux/Rouh. Lastly, in Ireland, it is also thought to be derived from the Gaelic 'rí,' meaning 'king.'
All variants of this surname remain fairly popular around the world to this day, with scattered other spellings occasionally observed in different areas of western, northern, and central Europe.
Famous people with the name Rowh
- Amber Rowh: Booking agent and host do Gladius fight night and Axemergency touring up and coming Heavy Metal bands.
- John H. Rowh: Owner of JHR Editing & Writing Services. He specializes in editing fiction and non-fiction manuscripts and providing author-editing services.
- Casey Rowh: Professional lacrosse player. He has played most of his career for the Washington Stealth and won the Champion’s Cup with them in 2011.
- Kaitlyn Rowh: Lead singer of the pop duo 'K + R', whose debut single 'Viridian' was released in the summer of 2020.
- Matthew Rowh: A noted contemporary landscape painter whose works have been exhibited in many galleries throughout Europe and the United States.
- Jezabell Rowh: Award-nominated musical theatre actress, best known for her performances in Les Miserables and Annie Get Your Gun.
- Gary Rowh: Animal Scientist and owner of a Cattle Ranch in Arizona.
- George Rowh: Award-winning novelist whose 2017 book 'Silent Creek' was adapted into a major motion picture in 2019.
- Dionne Rowh: Grammy-nominated jazz singer known for her unique style and covers of classic songs.
- Maddy Rowh: Professional football player for the University of Texas, where she also received an All-America honorable mention in 2020.