Surname Rosenkrans - Meaning and Origin
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Rosenkrans: What does the surname Rosenkrans mean?
The last name "Rosenkrans" is of Scandinavian or Germanic origin. It is derived from two words: "rosen", which means "roses", and "krans", which means "wreath" or "garland". Thus, a loose translation of Rosenkrans could be "rose garland" or "rose wreath". It might refer to a rose garland used in ceremonies or could be a symbolic name relating to a feature or characteristic of a person. The name Rosenkrans might also be significant in a historical or familial context. However, the exact origin and meaning can vary, depending on geographical and cultural variations, or familial traditions. Notably, the Rosenkrans name features in Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet', in the characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Order DNA origin analysisRosenkrans: Where does the name Rosenkrans come from?
The last name Rosenkrans is most common today in the United States, with the most concentrated population located in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Rosenkrans is a Dutch-American surname. The exact translation of the name is uncertain, but many believe that it stems from the Dutch roos (meaning rose) and krans (meaning wreath). This implies a meaning of “with a rose wreath” or “having a rose garland.”
In the United States, the first recorded usage of the name dates back to 1642 in New Amsterdam, New York. It is thought that the original bearer was the immigrant Jan Rosenkrans, who likely arrived in the new world from the Netherlands.
As the name spread across the country, it saw the most significant concentration in the Mid-Atlantic. By the 20th century, it had firmly established itself in this region; New York in particular had the highest population of Rosenkrans.
Today, the name Rosenkrans is still concentrated in that same region, particularly in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. However, since the turn of the century, one can find individuals with the surname Rosenkrans living around the world.
Variations of the surname Rosenkrans
The surname Rosenkrans is a Dutch and German surname, deriving from the German language. There are several variants and spellings of the surname Rosenkrans, including Rosencranz, Rosenkrands, Rosinkranz, Rosenkranche, Rosinkrance, Rosencranz, Rosencrantz, Rosencreuz, and Rosenkranz. Additionally, other surnames that are derived from the original Rosenkrans root include Roskranz, Rosencrantze, and Rosenkrantz.
In Dutch, Rosencranz is the oldest spelling, which dates back as early as 1583. Rosinkranz or Rosenkrands is also common in Dutch. Rosenkranche is a variant that dates back to 1674 in Dutch contexts. Rosinkrance and Rosencranz became more popular in German contexts, likely around the late 1800s.
As the surname spread to different regions and groups, the name also evolved. In some cases, a spelling or variant was chosen in order to match a pronunciation in a particular language, such as Rosenkrantz or Rosencreuz might have been more popular in an English context. In German contexts, Rosenkranz was most popular.
When researching the name, genealogists may find Roskranz in Swiss and Austrian records, which has a slightly different spelling from the original Rosenkrans. Moreover, Rosencrantze may be encountered in English contexts, while Rosenkrantz is the more common variant in Scandinavian records.
Regardless of the spelling or variant, the name Rosenkrans is a patronymic surname that originally derived from the forename ‘Rosenkranz’ and carries with it centuries of family history.
Famous people with the name Rosenkrans
- Thomas A. Rosenkrans: an African-American historian and author.
- Chauncey Rosenkrans: an American businessman and philanthropist.
- Alfred E. Rosenkrans: a civil engineer and editor.
- Tandy S. Rosenkrans: a pioneer of the American modern dance movement.
- Yetta Rosenkrans: a German entertainer and mother of screen actress Brooklyn Renaissance.
- Philip Rosenkrans: an American real estate investor and philanthropist.
- Arthur Rosenkrans: a founder of the Oxford Institute of California.
- Reeve Rosenkrans: a Greenwood Lake, New York entrepreneur and co-founder of Camp Sacajawea.
- Kelly Rosenkrans: actor, producer and founder of Common Sense productions.
- Marjorie Brookins Rosenkrans: a news editor in Central Ohio.