UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place named Rosse in Italy.
In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Rosse surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #28,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kingsclere, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rosse is 100 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.4%.
1881 census count
33
Ranked #28,965
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
100 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rosse surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rosse surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 33 | #28,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 94 | #24,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 31 | #30,616 |
| 1911 | historical | 27 | #30,437 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 36 | #34,246 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 28 | #34,936 |
| 2002 | modern | 30 | #34,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 32 | #35,019 |
| 2005 | modern | 31 | #35,260 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 32 | #35,530 |
| 2008 | modern | 34 | #35,502 |
| 2009 | modern | 37 | #35,434 |
| 2010 | modern | 42 | #35,294 |
| 2011 | modern | 43 | #35,228 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kingsclere, London parishes, Manchester, St John Hackney and Swaffham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingsclere | Hampshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Swaffham | Norfolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rosse surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rosse, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Rosse surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rosse household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Rosse is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rosse is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rosse, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Rosse originated in England and can be traced back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "rous," meaning red or reddish-brown, which was likely used to describe someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. The name may also have been a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a place with red soil or rocks.
One of the earliest documented references to the name Rosse can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Rous" and "Rouse." This suggests that the name was already established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Rous," "Rouse," and "Rosse," reflecting the evolving spelling and pronunciation over time. During this period, the name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Warwickshire, Shropshire, and Gloucestershire.
One notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Rosse (c. 1270-1346), a prominent landowner and military commander who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was granted the manor of Rosse in Gloucestershire, which may have contributed to the establishment of the surname in its modern spelling.
Another significant figure was William Parr Rosse (1766-1840), an Irish astronomer and landowner. He constructed one of the largest telescopes of his time, known as the "Leviathan of Parsonstown," and made significant contributions to the study of nebulae and galaxies.
Later, in the 19th century, Laurence Rosse-Lewin (1808-1883) was a distinguished British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy and participated in various campaigns, including the Crimean War.
The name Rosse has also been associated with notable literary figures, such as Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), a renowned English poet and writer, and her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), a prominent member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of artists and poets.
Another influential figure was Michael Francis Rosse (1899-1968), an Irish politician and businessman who served as the 6th Earl of Rosse and was involved in various industries, including brewing and horse racing.
While the surname Rosse has its roots in England, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and has been adopted by families of diverse backgrounds.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rosse surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 8 Rosses recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 7.69x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.49x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.31x |
| Wigtownshire | 3 | 70.26x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.28x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.63x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.99x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.05x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 11.56x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.91x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.93x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 5 Rosses recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.07x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 5 | 27.07x |
| Hulme | 5 | 62.74x |
| Willesden | 4 | 132.01x |
| Barony | 3 | 11.39x |
| Penninghame | 3 | 681.82x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 7.73x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 12.18x |
| Brislington | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 11.82x |
| Derby St Alkmund | 1 | 66.23x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 15.43x |
| Ham Kingston On Thames | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 26.60x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 24.10x |
| Rhuddlan | 1 | 131.58x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 7.17x |
| St John Zachary London | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rosse surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Rosse surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Rosse households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| A B | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Cook Dom | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Fancy Flower | 1 |
| Fitter (E&M) | 1 |
| Forman Tailor | 1 |
| General Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Housemaid (Dom) | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| News Vendor | 1 |
| Penitent Engaged In Laundry & Needlework | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Sailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Rosse surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Rosse a modern rank of #35,162.
A locational surname derived from a place named Rosse in Italy.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rosse bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.