Surname Rossington - Meaning and Origin

Rossington: What does the surname Rossington mean?

Rossington is a locational surname of Old English origin. It is derived from a place known as "Rossington" in South Yorkshire, England. The name Rossington can be broken into two parts: 'Ross,' which likely refers to 'rosc' or 'risc' meaning 'reed,' and '-ington,' a common suffix for place names, meaning 'settlement or village.' Therefore, Rossington can be interpreted to mean 'settlement or village by the reeds.' Like many locational surnames, it was likely initially given to the lord of the local manor, or to those who moved away from the area, as a means of identification. It is important to note that name meanings can vary based on historical and cultural interpretations.

Rossington: Where does the name Rossington come from?

Today, Rossington is a common surname in Britain. It is especially common in the Midlands region of Central England, in cities like Nottingham, Birmingham, Derby, and Leicester. Over the years, the Rossington family has expanded even further and can be found throughout England. Additionally, there are Rossingtons in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and even a handful in other countries such as the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Rossington name originated in England, gaining its roots from the Old English word for 'Horse Town' combined with the suffix 'ing' which means 'the family of.' Individuals with the Rossington surname were likely the descendants of a prominent family of horse traders in their local area. As time passed, the Rossington family flourished and moved throughout England, taking their name with them.

In England, Rossington is still a popular surname. It's estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of people using it today. As Rossington is such a widespread name around the world, it is likely there are many more people using the name outside of the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Rossington

Rossington is a surname of British origin, likely derived from a place name. The surname is known to have multiple variants, spellings and alternate surnames that are of the same origin.

The variants of the name Rossington include Rossenton, Rosinton, and Rosinton. The spelling variations are Rossinton, Rosinton, and Rosenton. Additionally, the alternate surnames for Rossington are Rosinton, Roseton, and Rosinter; these are believed to be related, though the exact link between them is not known.

The earliest record of the name Rossington was found in a property dispute between the Lord of the Manor of Rossington and several claimants in York, England in 1281. Rossington has also been found in other records around Yorkshire, England in the late 12th to early 13th centuries, implying that the name was already in use in the area during that time.

At present, Rossington is a relatively uncommon surname. Records show it is largely most prevalent in the United Kingdom, specifically in the Yorkshire area, where it has a long-standing history.

In summary, the surname Rossington has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Rossenton, Rosinton, and Rosinton, spelt Rossinton, Rosinton, and Rosenton, with related surnames Rosinton, Roseton, and Rosinter. Rossington is most common in the area of Yorkshire, England, where records show it has been in use since the 12th century.

Famous people with the name Rossington

• Gary Rossington: Legendary Southern rock guitarist, best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
• Michael Rossington: British comedian and actor, best known for his roles in History of the World, Part One and the BBC’s Dad’s Army.
• Anne Rossington: British actress who has appeared in various films and television shows, including Howards End, A Touch of Frost, and Casualty.
• Steve Rossington: Professional football player who has played for clubs including Scunthorpe United and Doncaster Rovers.
• George Rossington: British actor who has appeared in shows like Midsomer Murders, Casualty, and Doctors.
• Chris Rossington: British actor and stunt performer known for his roles in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Thor: The Dark World, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
• Ray Rossington: British author and environmental campaigner known for his nature writing and for his campaigns against air pollution and toxic waste dumping.
• Frank Rossington: English footballer who played for Arsenal, Watford, Crystal Palace, and Charlton Athletic during his career.
• Robert Rossington: British TV host and presenter, best known for his work on the BBC programmes Antiques Roadshow, Eggheads, and Bargain Hunt.
• Wayne Rossington: British musician and songwriter who has contributed to various albums and soundtracks, including the BBC series Life on Mars.

Other surnames

RossingRössing