Surname Root - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Unveiling the Historical Landscape of My Family Name 'Root' Through iGENEA DNA Analysis
Plunging into the annals of history, I embarked on a journey with iGENEA to discover the roots of my family name 'Root.' The detailed DNA analysis revealed my ancestors' history and their epoch-making role in shaping rural England to the Colonial era pioneers in the U.S., imparting a newfound sense of identity in me.
K. Root
read moreRoot: What does the surname Root mean?
The surname "Root" has multiple possible origins. It could be of English or Dutch origin. In the English context, it is believed to have derived from the Old English term "rot", meaning "glad" or "cheerful", and was possibly a nickname for a cheerful person. Another theory suggests it may have come from the Middle English term "rote" or "wrote", meaning a musical instrument similar to a harp, and could have been a metonymic occupational name for a musician.
In a Dutch context, "Root" is a topographic name for someone who lived by a notable tree root, from the Dutch “root”. It could also be from the related term “rode” or “roede”, meaning a “clearing”, and would denote someone who lived or worked at such a location.
Like most surnames, the exact origins and meaning can be difficult to identify due to migrations, translations, and variations over time. Each family with the name may have its unique adoption story and meaning behind it.
Order DNA origin analysisRoot: Where does the name Root come from?
The last name Root is primarily found among individuals with European ancestry today and is predominantly associated with French and English heritage. In addition to being common in France and England, Root is also found in various parts of the United States and Canada. The frequency of the last name varies significantly from country to country but is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
It is particularly prominent in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island in the United States. This surname is likely derived from the Old French word ‘rute’, meaning ‘arduous journey’, the modern word ‘route’. This could explain why some people with the surname may have been especially associated with traveling or long-distance trade.
Family trees going back several generations will often contain at least one Root ancestor from England or France. It is not uncommon for this name to be found among the records of royal lineages due to marriages between different branches of nobility over the centuries.
All in all, the last name Root is a relatively common last name that has been passed down through generations of families with European heritage. This surname may be found not only in France and England, but also across North America and various parts of the globe.
Variations of the surname Root
Root is an Anglo-Saxon and Germanic surname from the Middle Ages, derived from the Old English and Germanic word ‘rott’ which means ‘red’. It was originally given to someone with red hair or complexion. Variants and spelling of the surname Root include Rote, Rotts, Roote, and Routt. This surname can also be found in some families with Dutch roots as Ruit, Ruith, and Ruyt.
In Germany the Root surname is Cork Root. Early recordings from Germany include Anna Catharina Root, who was christened on August 11, 1612 in Esslingen am Neckar, Wuerttemberg.
In England, there are a few records of the Root surname dating back to the 13th century. Thomas Roote was recorded in 1275, in the Era of Edward I of England (1272-1307) in the County Suffolk. Other variants include the Rootes family of Newark Castle, Lincolnshire dating back to the 16th century and the Rout family of Gloucester dating back to the 19th century.
Root is also found in Scotland, where the spelling is usually Rouet. The first recorded spelling was in 1341 when William Robert Rouete was the witness of a deed of Thomas Quadir regarding to an Old House in Comire, Scotland.
Root is also found in Ireland, where it is most commonly known as Rooth. The first record of Root in Ireland was in 1590 when Patrick Rooth was recorded as a soldier in the company of Captain Miles of Dublin.
Finally, Root can also be found in Russia where it is known as Rute or Rutts. The Root surname in Russia dates back to early 19th century, when Edmund von Rutte was registered in the Bundesarchiv, Berlin-Lichterfelde.
Famous people with the name Root
- Ryan Root: American stock car racing driver
- Samuel Root: early Americana furniture maker
- Augustus Root: early American organ builder
- Henry Root: early American gunsmith
- Richard Root: American politician
- Clarissa Root: early American composer
- George Root: 19th century American composer and songwriter
- Rebecca Root: British actress and stand-up comedian
- John Root: American architect and designer
- Elihu Root: U.S. Secretary of War and Nobel Peace Laureate
- Charles Root: American Major League Baseball pitcher
- Angelo Root: famous American music arranger and conductor
- William Root: 19th century American photographer
- David Root: Canadian film director and producer
- Christopher Root: American teleconference pioneer
- Marion Root: noted American gardening expert
- Celia Root: American TV natural history author
- Bo'az Root: Israeli entertainment sensation
- Darrel Root: noted American linguist
- Penny Root: Australian children's author