Surname Rosenauer - Meaning and Origin

Rosenauer: What does the surname Rosenauer mean?

The last name Rosenauer is of German origin, dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old Germanic elements "rosen", meaning "rose" and "ouwe" meaning "meadow" or "field". This combination of elements could indicate that the name is a topographic name for someone who lived by a rose field, or was living on a plot of land covered by roses.

Rosenauer is likely a habitation name as well, considering the German tendency to use locality in the surnames. This means that families adopted the name of a place they lived. Additionally, surnames derived from places often referred to pastures, meadows, and fields, and thus may refer to a family's roots in other areas of Germany.

Rosenauer is an uncommon surname which suggests that the family was likely relatively exclusive and limited in its numbers. It is likely one of the oldest Germanic surnames which adds a certain mystique to the family and their many generations of German heritage. In modern times, the name is still associated with Germany and German culture, and many people with the last name Rosenauer have maintained a strong connection to their roots.

Rosenauer: Where does the name Rosenauer come from?

The last name Rosenauer is most commonly found throughout the German-speaking world today. It originated in the German-speaking state of Bohemia where it is found most frequently today, according to data available on familyhistory.com. In Bavaria, the birthplace of the name, the surname was quite common by the mid-18th Century, and had spread to other parts of Germany and Austria by the start of the 19th Century.

In the past century, as people from this region have moved away, the name has spread in larger numbers all across Europe, with significant numbers appearing in the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, and Russia. In the United States, Rosenauer is primarily found in the former German-speaking parts of the country – in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin in particular. It is one of the least common of the German surnames, ranking only 556th among the top German surnames.

In addition to preserving a link to the German-speaking world, the Rosenauer name can also be found among various Jews who originaly came from the German-speaking area of Czechslovakia but migrated to Israel and throughout the world during, and after, the twentieth century.

Thus, the name Rosenauer is still very much alive and can be found in diverse parts of the world, but its most significant concentrations are still within the German-speaking world.

Variations of the surname Rosenauer

Rosenauer is an Austrian surname derived from the Middle High German word 'rosen' meaning rose and 'ow' meaning an meadow. It is believed to be derived from habitation in and around a rose meadow, thus literally translating to 'the rose meadower' or 'the person living in a meadow of roses'. It is among the oldest surnames in Austria and dates back to the 12th century.

Variants of the original spelling of the surname include Roseneu, Rosenow, Rossenow, Rosseneu, Rosenou, Rosinou and Rosenau. Variations of the spelling due to regional dialects include Ravenower, Rosinower, Ravnovr and Rossiower.

The surnames of a similar origin include Rossenauer (of the rose meadow), Rosenahrer (addition of the German 'ahrer' meaning a person in charge of something), Rosenmayer, Rosenmueller (miller of the roses), Rosental (valley of roses), Rosenweigel (tailor of roses) and Rosenowitsch (son of the rose meadow).

All these surnames are derived from the main German word 'rosen' meaning rose and can collectively be termed as Rosenauer, ie. originating from a meadow of roses.

Famous people with the name Rosenauer

• Oskar Rosenauer: an Austrian composer and conductor born in 1851; best known for his pieces for piano and chamber music.
• Adolph Rosenauer: a German-American violinist, music teacher, and composer born in 1853.
• Victor Hugo Rosenauer: a German-born American attorney and civic leader.
• Jakub Rosenauer: a Czech football manager and former player.
• Philipp Rosenauer: a German actor and singer.
• Edward Rosenauer: a Czech writer and publisher.
• Paul Rosenauer: an Austrian manager and football coach.
• Sean Rosenauer: an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the lightweight division of Bellator.
• Henry Rosenauer: an Australian rédacteur of the National Library, born in 1889.
• Leonard Rosenauer: a notable Czech-American business executive and philanthropist.
• Peter Rosenauer: a German composer and musicologist.
• Rick Rosenauer: an American investor and philanthropist.
• Charles Rosenauer: a German-American businessman prominent in early 20th century Europe.
• Julius Rosenauer: an Austrian engineer who invented an early hydroplane.

Other surnames

Rosenau