Surname Rowan - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Celtic Heritage of the Rowan Surname: A Personal Account of My iGENEA DNA Test Adventure

Embarking on a journey with iGENEA DNA test has been a revealing journey. With a simple saliva test, I have been able to shed light on the lengthy and fascinating history associated with my surname, Rowan. Traced back to Celtic origins, primarily in Ireland and Scotland, the name Rowan is attributed to individuals with red hair or a ruddy complexion in Gaelic tradition.

J. Rowan

Rowan: What does the surname Rowan mean?

The surname Rowan is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic name "O’Ruadhain." This name comes from the Gaelic word "ruadh," which means red. Thus, the name Rowan can be interpreted as "descendant of the red one," possibly referring to a person with red hair or ruddy complexion. The name also relates to the Rowan tree, held sacred in Celtic mythology, symbolizing protection and wisdom. Despite its Irish origin, the surname is widespread across England and Scotland. Over time, in the United States and other countries, it has also become a popular first name for both boys and girls. As a surname, Rowan gained popularity through notable figures like the comedian Rowan Atkinson and the educator Carl Rowan.

Rowan: Where does the name Rowan come from?

Rowan is a popular last name in many countries and regions around the world today, but its use is particularly common in the British Isles. In England in particular, more than sixty thousand people were estimated to have the surname Rowan in the 2011 Census results, with a concentrated distribution in the greater London area and several counties in the midlands and northern regions.

Further north in Scotland, Rowan is found more commonly in the country's western coast and Highland regions - more than five thousand couples with the last name live in Scotland today. In Northern Ireland, Census results from 2011 also showed around grand total of seven hundred people with Rowan as a surname, and most of them resided in the region of Antrim.

In other countries, the surname Rowan is also quite common, and is found in significant numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The most common county in the United States for the surname is Tarrant County, Texas, where nearly four hundred households have the last name. In Australia, the state of Victoria has seen the highest concentration of households with the surname Rowan, with more than fifty families living there today.

Though Rowan is widespread across many regions today, records of families with the name living in the British Isles can be traced back centuries ago. Rowan was a popular name for several generations of Scottish and Irish people in particular, likely due to its attachment to a strong family line with many branches spread throughout Britain and Ireland.

Variations of the surname Rowan

The surname Rowan, or its variants, can have multiple spellings and surnames of the same origin depending on the language of origin. Some common variants and spellings include Ruane, Rowe, Rowen, Rooney, Roeni, Roine, Roin, Roinne, Rohan, O'Ruan, O'Rowan, O'Rointon, Ronn, Ronne, Ronney, Rowe, Rowin, Rowine, Rowan, Ruan, Ruane, Ruanne, and Rouan.

The surname Rowan is derived from the name Ruan, which is a given name from Old Irish. The given name Ruan comes from Old Welsh, which is a language in the Brittonic Celtic language group. The given name Ruan is derived from the word “rhiw”, which means “ridge” or “breast-shaped hill”. The surname Rowan is likely derived from the given name which in turn is derived from the word “rhiw”, meaning “ridge” or “breast-shaped hill”.

The surname Rowan is most commonly found in English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh speaking countries. It is also found in some parts of Europe, particularly in counties such as Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.

Many English speaking countries have adapted the name Rowan, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. In the United States, the surname Rowan is the 578th most common surname with a prevalence of 32,312 individuals. The surname is also common in Australia, where it is the 723rd most common surname, and Canada, where it is the 324th most common surname. In some parts of America, the surname has been modified to Rowanbush, Rowbottom, Rowatt, or other spellings.

Other than its variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin, the surname Rowan is commonly used as both a given name and a surname.

Famous people with the name Rowan

• Rowan Atkinson: English comedian, actor, and screenwriter most famous for his role as Mr. Bean
• Maggie Jean Rowan: American actress known for her role as the Grand Duchess Anastasia in the 1997 animated film
• Brooke Rowan: Model and actress
• Harold Rowan: English footballer
• Pete Rowan: Bluegrass guitarist
• Maggie Rowan: Human rights activist and campaigner for women's rights
• Christopher Rowan: Canadian Olympic fencer
• Josiah Rowan: American politician and military officer
• Tod Rowan: American attorney and federal judge
• Cillian Rowan: Irish singer-songwriter

Other surnames

RowandRowantreeRowarkRowarth