Surname Rookes - Meaning and Origin

Rookes: What does the surname Rookes mean?

The surname Rookes is of English origin and is derived from the Old English pre-7th century word "hroc," meaning "rook" or "raven." This name was likely originally bestowed as a nickname for someone with dark hair or a dark complexion, similar to the color of a rook. In medieval times, animals and birds were commonly used to denote certain human characteristics, and a raven or rook was often associated with someone of a dark or mysterious nature. It may have also been a name given to someone who lived in an area heavily populated by rooks or ravens. Over time, it has evolved into various forms including Rook, Rooks, Rookes, and Roke. Like many surnames from this era, its spelling has likely changed due to migration and the evolution of language. As families moved from one region to another, they often changed the way they spelled their names, leading to many different variations of the same original surname.

Rookes: Where does the name Rookes come from?

The surname Rookes is most commonly found in England. This name originated in Old English and is a combination of the words for raven (roc) and oak tree (es). The earliest recorded instances of this first name appear in documents from the 13th century in England.

In the modern day, the last name Rookes can still be found in England. It has a particular concentration in the Sussex and Kent coastal areas, where there are several hundred people bearing this surname. The frequency of this surname is higher than the national average in the United Kingdom today.

Additionally, the Rookes surname can be found in other regions across the world, with large populations in Australia, Canada, United States, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Ireland, and Scotland. This is likely due to the diaspora of British citizens seeking work abroad over the past few centuries.

In conclusion, the last name Rookes is most common today in England, with concentrations in Sussex and Kent, as well as having sizable populations spread out across the globe.

Variations of the surname Rookes

The surname Rookes is thought to come from the medieval personal name Roger, which is of Old German origin and means “famous spear.” Variants, spellings and surnames that originate from the same source include:

1. Roche – This is an old French form of the name, and is found in England too;

2. Roach – This is an English variant of Roche;

3. Rook – Another English variant, this spelling is sometimes found instead of the ‘e’ at the end of the name;

4. Roches – A French form of the name;

5. Rookes – Both an English and an Irish surname;

6. Rookes – An Anglicized form of the Irish name;

7. Rooke – Another English spelling;

8. Routes – A variant of ROCHES;

9. Roux – This is a French surname;

10. Rouche – Another French variant.

The earliest record of the surname being used comes from 1221, when a "Rouke" family was recorded being living in Scotland. The name is most common in England, with the highest concentration of Rookes families in the county of Kent. There are also occurrences of the Rookes surname in the US, Canada, and other countries. In these countries, the surname is most frequently found to have been changed to Roach, Rooke, or Rooke.

Famous people with the name Rookes

• Emma Rookes: An English suffragette and trade unionist, she worked with the Women’s Social and Political Union to push for greater gender equality and made it possible for women to work in the civil service.
• William Rookes: Also known as “The Sage of Bath”, William Rookes was an eighteenth century English poet and philosopher who was part of the so-called “Bath Literary Circle”.
• Sarah Rookes: An English broadcaster and author, she is best known for presenting the Channel 4 show, “Quantum Leap”.
• Martin Rookes: An English military leader, he served in the British Navy from 1794 to 1812 and was part of numerous battles during the Napoleonic Wars.
• Joseph Rookes: An English actor from the Victorian era, he was a popular actor in London and was known for his roles in plays like “The Marblehearted Woman” and “The Shipwreck”.
• Eliza Rookes: An English ballerina in the 19th century, she was known for her performances in the Royal Ballet and was part of the original cast of the ballet, Giselle.
• Joe Rookes: An English designer and sculptor, he is best known for his sculptures made for the annual sculptures walk in Bath.
• Charles Rookes: An American politician, he was the second Governor of Mississippi and helped in the formation of the Republican Party.
• Richard Rookes: An English politician, he served as a Member of Parliament for the Yorkshire West Riding constituency and was an advocate of agricultural improvement and public transport.
• David Rookes: An Australian man, he was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his act of bravery during the Battle of Montecassino in World War II.

Other surnames

Rooke