Surname Rowell - Meaning and Origin
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How the iGENEA DNA Test Transformed My Perception of the Rowell Clan's Heritage
Ever since the revealing iGENEA DNA test results, my understanding of the surname Rowell and our family identity has radically transformed. The test connected our lineage with ancient Central Europeans and the noble families in the UK, igniting a deeper sense of pride and a thirst for exploring our elaborate ancestry.
C. Rowell
read moreRowell: What does the surname Rowell mean?
The surname Rowell is of English origin, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Rouf", which means "Raven-Wolf". Ravens and wolves were both significant animals in Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, memory, and power. The name was adopted into Old English as "Rouf" or "Roul", and later evolved into forms like "Rowell", "Rowle", or "Roul". The use of animals in last names often suggested a character trait or a physical feature, so a person with this name might have been seen as cunning, powerful, or mysterious, like a raven or a wolf. Sometimes, it could also be a toponymic surname, referring to someone who lived near a rowan tree or at a specific location called Rowell. The name is found throughout England, with higher concentrations in northern and eastern counties. It remains a relatively uncommon surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisRowell: Where does the name Rowell come from?
The last name Rowell is most prominent in the United States and is particularly common in the southeastern region.
In the most recent census, the greatest concentration of people with the last name Rowell is found in Georgia. Other nearby states with high concentrations of Rowells include Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Outside of the Southeast, Rowells are most commonly found in the states of California, Texas, and New York, which collectively account for over 15 percent of the total Rowell population in the United States.
Rowells are most frequently clustered in medium and large cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, and Charlotte.
Rowells are also found in significantly greater numbers in Australia, New Zealand, and England. In the United Kingdom, the last name Rowell is the 126th most common surname, and in Australia it is the 373rd most common.
Interestingly, Rowells are relatively uncommon outside of the English-speaking world. In China, for example, researchers have found it to be a rare name, and none have been located in other large countries like Russia and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Rowell
The surname Rowell is of English, Irish, and Scottish origin. Most commonly, this surname is derived from the personal name Rolf, which was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest. In England, variants of the surname Rowell include Rowall, Rowl, Rowallen, and Rowle.
In Scotland, the Rowell surname is derived from the Gaelic personal name Ruadh, which means "red" or "red-haired". Variants of the Rowell surname in Scotland include Rowall, Rowl, Rowan, Rollins, Rollands, Rollands, Radcliffe, and Rollinson.
In Ireland, the Rowell surname may have been derived from a French origin, similar to the surname Roall. This surname appears in Ireland as early as 1594 as Rall. Variants of the Rowell surname in Ireland include Rolle, Rowle, Ruddell, Rudwell, Rowell, and Rollinson.
The Rowell surname is found in many countries and cultures around the world. This surname appears in Germany as Röhl, in Norway as Raal, and in Wales as Rowal. It also appears in Scotland, France, and Italy in many different spellings.
Overall, the variants and spellings of the surname Rowell have evolved from the various cultures it was introduced to and are quite diverse. The most common spellings of the surname Rowell may vary from country to country and even region to region.
Famous people with the name Rowell
- Ann Patchett: award-winning author
- Mads Mikkelsen: Danish actor
- Terry Rowell: journalist, author and publisher
- Katherine Rowell: Olympic medal-winning diver
- Randall Rowell: professional football player
- Jeffrey Rowell: Emmy Award-winning television producer and director
- Louise Rowell: American politician
- Christian Rowell: artist and sculptor
- Troy Rowell: professional basketball player
- John Rowell: professional golfer