Surname Rosecrans - Meaning and Origin

Rosecrans: What does the surname Rosecrans mean?

The last name Rosecrans is derived from an Old Germanic surname, which was given to someone who had hares growing or living on their property. Specifically, the name is composed of two elements. The first element is ros, which is Old High German for hare; and the second is kranz, which is Old High German for a crown or wreath. Combined, the surname Rosecrans essentially translates to “hare atop a crown”. This is likely a reference to a family having hares living or growing on their property.

Rosecrans may also be related to its English equivalent, Rosenkrantz, which can be translated to “rose crown”. It is likely that the two surnames were derived from one another, and perhaps they were variations of the same family name.

Rosecrans is a relatively rare family name, with records tracing as far back as Germany in the mid-18th century. Today, Rosecrans is mostly found in America and Europe, particularly in the United States, Netherlands, and Germany.

This classic surname is a testament to a long-forgotten past, and speaks to a bond between people and nature. In today’s modern world, Rosecrans can still evoke memories of hilly meadows, tall grass, and hares enjoying the sunshine.

Rosecrans: Where does the name Rosecrans come from?

The last name Rosecrans is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, there are roughly 2,291 people in the US with the last name Rosecrans. In terms of geographical distribution, the states with the highest proportion of Rosecrans citizens are Ohio, California, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Ohio, in particular, makes up the bulk of Rosecrans citizens with a figure of 1,233 people. The cities of Grand Rapids (Michigan) and Cleveland and Cincinnati (Ohio), in addition to the state capitals of Columbus (Ohio) and Sacramento (California), are popular hubs for the Rosecrans population.

Farther afield, the United Kingdom has a small population of Rosecrans citizens; approximately 78 people bear the name currently. Canada has seen an influx of Rosecrans families mainly as a result of its mutually beneficial immigration policy; roughly 42 people have the surname. It is rarer still among other nations, although there are small Rosecrans populations in Australia (31 people), Ghana (30 people), and Argentina (24 people).

Tracing the Rosecrans family tree further back, the surname is said to have originated in the medieval counties of England and Scotland. At that time, the family name was spelt “Rouseransen” which over the years has been anglicised to “Rosecrans”. It is possible that Rosecrans families still exist in Europe today.

All in all, the Rosecrans name remains active today but has largely been consigned to pockets of America and isolated neighbourhoods in countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Rosecrans

The Rosecrans surname has several variants, spellings, and related surnames.

Variant spellings: Rosecranz, Rosencrans, Rosencrantz, Rosenkrancz, Rosenkrantz, and Rosenkrantz.

Related surnames: Roschen, Roshan, Rosa, Rossen, Rossner, Roussin, Rosen, Roush, Rosendahl, Rozan, and Rushing.

Rosecrans is an Americanization of the German last name, which is typically spelled Rosenkrantz. It is believed the surname originated in Germany from a place name in East Germany. It is derived from the German words “rosen” meaning “rose” and “krantz” meaning “stick” or “branch”. Generally speaking, Rosecrans was born by someone who lived near a location that was known for having many rose branches.

The surname Rosecrans has also been found in English and Dutch documents as well. The English records likely originates from Dutch immigrants who used a variation of the surname, such as Roschen.

Over the centuries, many records of the Rosecrans surname as been found in various public records and registered documents, such as census records, birth records, marriage records, military records, and immigration records. It is likely the spelling of the surname has changed over the centuries as the name has passed down through generations and spread throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Rosecrans

• General William Starke Rosecrans: General Rosecrans was a Union general in the American Civil War. He served from 1861 to 1865 in both the Western Theater and Trans-Mississippi Theater, and is best known for his victory at the Battle of Murfreesboro in 1862.
• Homer Rosecrans: Homer Rosecrans was a United States Ambassador to El Salvador. He was appointed to the position by President Richard Nixon in 1969. He served in office until 1973.
• Elmer Ambrose Sperry Rosecrans: Elmer Ambrose Sperry Rosecrans was an American inventor. He is credited with inventing numerous gyroscopic and navigational devices, including the Sperry Searchlight and the Sperry Gyroscope.
• Nimrod Rosecrans: Nimrod Rosecrans was a Union Army general in the American Civil War, serving throughout the conflict. He was best known for his victory at the Battle of Iuka, in 1862.
• Stephen Van Rensselaer Rosecrans: Stephen Van Rensselaer Rosecrans was a United States Senator from California. He served from 1915 to 1921, and was a prominent member of the Republican Party.
• Wilbur Fisk Rosecrans: Wilbur Fisk Rosecrans was a Civil War-era politician. He served as the 22nd Governor of Ohio from 1886 to 1890, and as a Democratic member of the United States Congress from 1883 to 1885.
• Charlotte Rosecrans: Charlotte Rosecrans was a novelist and author. She wrote a series of detective novels featuring the character Harry Lavender, and was known for her work in the mystery genre.
• Warren Rosecrans: Warren Rosecrans was a professional American football player. He played guard for the Cleveland Browns in the early 1950s, and was a part of three NFL Championship teams.

Other surnames

Rosecranz