Surname Roworth - Meaning and Origin
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Roworth: What does the surname Roworth mean?
The surname Roworth is of English origin, stemming from the Old English personal name 'Rhohawe' which is composed of the elements 'rha' (roe) and 'hawe' (hedge). The name would have originally been given to someone as a reference to them living near a hedgerow of wild roe deer, or possibly to someone who worked in such an area.
Due to its agricultural and nature-based connotations, historically Roworths were associated with farmers and rural workers. Many would have found employment tending and harvesting the land, producing and carrying goods, and supplying food and drink to the local population.
In more recent times, Roworths have diversified and are now found in many aspects of life, from skilled tradesmen and construction workers, to businesspeople, lawyers, doctors, and teachers. Some may even have become celebrities in their chosen fields.
The Roworth name appears to be rare, especially outside of its south-west English heartlands. Given the connotations and roots of the name, many Roworths still have a close connection to the land and are able to appreciate the products of their hard-working ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisRoworth: Where does the name Roworth come from?
The last name Roworth is not particularly common today, but it has been found in records of people from a variety of different countries. Many people with the Roworth surname have their origins in the United Kingdom. It is particularly common in England, with records indicating that the name first appeared in Buckinghamshire in the mid-seventeenth century.
It has also been found in the United States, where records from the late nineteenth century suggest that the name originated with Dutch settlers in New Jersey. Other records show that some people with the last name Roworth had German roots.
Today, the Roworth surname has also been found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries around the world. It is not possible to say for certain where the Roworth surname is most common today, but there appears to be an even distribution of individuals carrying the name in different countries.
Variations of the surname Roworth
The surname Roworth has a number of variants and spellings, as well as surnames of the same origin.
The spelling of ‘Roworth’ can also take on the forms of ‘Rowarth’, ‘Rowrth’, ‘Rowrith’, ‘Rovorth’, ‘Roivorth’ or ‘Roveorth’, amongst other variants.
In addition, there are surnames of the same origin which include 'Rowett', 'Rowood', 'Rowertside', 'Rowath', 'Rowhorth' and 'Roworths'.
Some of these variants are predominantly found in England and in its associated territories, while others can be found throughout Europe and other continents, such as in North America, South Africa and Australia.
These variants and spellings have been traced to various origin stories. For example, some suggest that 'Roworth' is a misspelling of 'Reworth' or 'Redworth', derived from the Old English words which mean 'red village' or 'red enclosure'.
Likewise, it is believed that 'Rowett' can be traced back to the Swedish word 'Rot', which means 'red', or perhaps to the Saxon tribe known as the 'Rio', meaning 'river'.
Other variants, such as 'Rowertside' and 'Rowood', are said to have been derived from two smaller place names, 'Rowe' and 'Ridgside', hence their longer variants which include their component elements.
In short, the surname Roworth and its variants have various spellings and derivations, depending on the particular origin story. This suggests that the surname has been adopted by different families from a range of backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Roworth
- Ethan Roworth: former football player and inventor of a patented football helmet.
- Tom Roworth: British physicist and professor at the University of Cambridge.
- Sarah Roworth: Canadian politician and former Member of Parliament for the Yukon.
- William Roworth: British author and former Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North.
- Rodney Roworth: Australian actor, best known for his role in the television series The Chaser.
- Max Roworth: Australian poet, and author of the book Compass Point and Other Poems.
- Jack Roworth: retried Australian tugboat captain.
- Michael Roworth: Jamaican-born British actor.
- Wendy Roworth: American racing cyclist and two-time winner of the Tour de France.
- Kate Roworth: British author, winner of the prestigious Orange Prize for Fiction for her novel A Sentimental Education.