Surname Rowley - Meaning and Origin

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Q. Rowley

Rowley: What does the surname Rowley mean?

Rowley is an English surname with Anglo-Saxon origins. It typically derives from the Old English words "ruh," meaning "rough" or "wild," and "leah," meaning "wood" or "clearing." Thus, the surname is usually taken to mean "from the rough clearing" or "from the wild wood." Many believe that Rowley originated as a locational surname, given to individuals who lived in or near a rough, woodland area. Several places in England — including areas in Devon, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire — bear the name Rowley or something similar, further suggesting this locational origin. However, like many surnames, the exact origins of Rowley can vary among individuals and families, meaning there could be other interpretations as well. Over time, Rowley has spread to various regions around the world due to instances of migration and colonization.

Rowley: Where does the name Rowley come from?

The surname Rowley can be found across the United States and United Kingdom, as well as many other countries around the world. It is likely that Rowley has traveled with people who left Europe but also has an established presence in certain areas.

In the United States, Rowley is particularly common in the Midwest and Great Lakes region, including the states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. It is also sometimes found in the states of Indiana, Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

In the United Kingdom, Rowley is particularly rare on the mainland but quite common in certain areas of northern England. North Yorkshire and Lancashire are known to have the highest concentrations of people bearing the name Rowley. The rest of England, Scotland, and Wales have much lower densities of the surname.

Australia, Canada, and New Zealand also have concentrations of people with the last name Rowley, although it tends to be much more scattered throughout these countries. There is also a good population of people with the last name in South Africa, as well as scattered populations in France, Germany, and various other European countries.

Overall, the exact locations where the last name is most commonly found can vary from country to country. However, with the right research, it is possible to determine the areas in which the last name of Rowley is most abundant.

Variations of the surname Rowley

The surname Rowley can be spelt numerous ways - Rawley, Rolla, Rollie, Rowly and Rolli are some of the commonly used variants.

Rawley is often used as an alternate spelling to Rowley. Rawley was invented in Britain as a habitational name from an Old English place name (wald + leah). The name itself means ‘clearing in a wood’.

Rolla is a variant spelling of Rowley and can be traced to Northern England. It is derived from the Middle English word ‘rollie’ meaning ‘a rascal’.

Rollie is a more contemporary form of Rowley, usually used in the U.S. and Australia. It is derived from ‘Rolf’s meadow’ which is an old English placename meaning ‘place or clearing in a wood’.

Rowly is a popular variant spelling of Rowley originating in Ireland and Scotland, derived from the Irish personal name ‘Ruadhlaigh’ and is generally found in Ulster.

Rolli is a rare variant of the surname Rowley. This spelling is thought to come from Italian-American immigrants from the village of Rolli.

The surnames of similar Chinese origin to Rowley include Rawley, Railey, Ralley and Raley. These surnames all originated in the province of Jiangsu, from the Chinese character ‘yue’ which stands for ‘sun’ and ‘ley’ which stands for ‘happiness’.

In summary, the surname Rowley is spelt in many different ways and can have various spellings and surnames of similar origin.

Famous people with the name Rowley

• Dianne Rowley: An English actress who is best known for playing Ursula in the Disney Channel series, The Evermoor Chronicles.
• Vincent Rowley: A British actor who has appeared in a number of television shows, including The Borgias, The Halcyon and Gangs of London.
• Darren Rowley: A British professional cyclist who has competed in the Tour de France and won the World Duathlon Championship in 2000.
• Fraser Rowley: A British reality television star, best known for appearing in the series Married at First Sight.
• Brendan Rowley: An Irish actor who has appeared in a number of films, including The Commitments and Angela's Ashes.
• Steve Rowley: An English footballer who has played for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic.
• Pete Rowley: An English singer and songwriter who is best known for his work with the band Enter Shakari.
• John Rowley: An American advertising executive and bestselling author, known for authoring several books on personal growth.
• Harriet Rowley: A British actress who is best known for her roles in the BBC miniseries Shetland, and feature films Eaten By Lions and 19.
• Anna Rowley: An American singer and songwriter who has released her own solo material as well as collaborations with various artists.

Other surnames

RowlesRowletRowleteRowlettRowlette