Surname Rowarth - Meaning and Origin

Rowarth: What does the surname Rowarth mean?

The surname Rowarth is of English origin and is derived from the old english personal name ‘Roward’, or from the place-name ‘Rouward’ in Yorkshire. The original meaning of the surname is thought to be ‘horse-keeper’.

The name ‘Roward’ is derived from the old German personal name ‘Raaward’ or ‘Rohard’, which developed from the elements ‘raha’, meaning ‘roam’ or ‘adventure’, and ‘hard’, meaning ‘strong’ or ‘valiant’. Therefore, Rowarth translates roughly to ‘Hill/Home of the Valiant’.

Rowarth is a fairly uncommon surname, first appearing in the late 18th century in the north eastern part of England. Variations of the surname include Rohard, Roworth, Raworth, Rawwood, Raward, Roword, and Rowarth.

Rowarth is considered to be a locational or patronymic surname, which means that it was either taken from the name of a place of residence or a parent’s first name. Rowarth is thought to have been adopted as a surname when families moved from one district to another or when people moved to a different village or town. It was also sometimes used to differentiate between two bearers of the same first name.

In modern times, the surname Rowarth is mainly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. However, there are a few scattered records from other countries as well. Although the name is not particularly common today, those who do bear the surname can be proud of their connections to a name with a rich history and interesting meaning.

Rowarth: Where does the name Rowarth come from?

The last name Rowarth is one of the more unique surnames of English and Irish origin. It is believed to have initially been derived from the Old English "Rowarth" meaning “a fenced enclosure”. Today, the last name Rowarth can be most commonly found in England and Ireland, and has also spread to places as far as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United Kingdom, it has been documented as being most frequent in the Cornwall area. In the United States, the surname Rowarth is especially prevalent in states in the central region, such as Wisconsin and Colorado. This is due to the fact that many immigrants with the last name Rowarth at one time may have settled in the region long ago, and that their descendants since have continued to inhabit the area.

Overall, the Rowarth surname is estimated to belong to about 10,000 people worldwide, making it rather rare in comparison to most other surnames. The name is also believed to have undergone a few changes in spelling over time, such as Rowarth, Rowret, and Roarhouse. These various spellings may help to account for why the last name today is not necessarily as concentrated in one particular region.

Variations of the surname Rowarth

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rowarth include Raworth, Roworth, Rorough, Roroworth, Roaworth and Rauworthe. These variants can be found in English, Irish and Scottish heritage.

The origins of the surname Rowarth can be traced back to several sources. One is that it is derived from an old British name that includes the elements 'ra' which means 'wild', and 'worth' which means 'enclosed settlement'. Other etymologists have suggested the surname may be derived from the Old Norse name 'Rotgeir', meaning 'fame-spear'.

The earliest recorded uses of Rowarth as a surname were first found in Durham, England in the 1500s. By the 17th century, the surname Rowarth had spread to Ireland, Scotland and Europe, and later became more widespread in the United States and Canada.

Rowarth is known as a patronymic surname, meaning the name was derived from a male ancestor. This form of surname is most common among cultures of Celtic origin. This type of surname would thus be passed on from father to son, and usually would assume the first name of the father as the surname of the son.

Rowarth is also a topographical surname, indicating the family's origin in a particular geographic location. As such, those who bear the Rowarth surname may have originally been located in or near a nut grove, a clearing in a wood, or a hedged piece of land which would have been enclosed.

In some cases, the spelling of the surname may have also been changed over time or through different geographic areas. As such, it is not uncommon to find variants such as Raworth, Roworth, Rorough, Roroworth, Roaworth and Rauworthe.

Famous people with the name Rowarth

• Philip Rowarth: British army officer and field researcher
• Les Rowarth: New Zealand Speedway World Champion
• Emily Rowarth: NZ artistic gymnast
• Jeremy Rowarth: Australian cricketer
• Paul Rowarth: British economist
• Lee Rowarth: former US Soccer defender/midfielder
• Steve Rowarth: British international middle distance runner
• Fount Rowarth: early American drama headmaster
• Carrie Rowarth: former Member of the New Zealand Parliament
• Dick Rowarth: British singer-songwriter

Other surnames

Rowark