Surname Rockwood - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rockwood: What does the surname Rockwood mean?
The Rockwood surname can be traced back to Northern England and Scotland, as well as western and central Europe. The ultimate origin of the Rockwood name is unclear, though many believe it is related to the elements “roc” and “wood,” which refer to a rocky wood. This could refer to a wooded area where there are scattered large rocks or boulders, often associated with the foot of a mountain. The name may also have been given to people who lived in a rocky wooded area as a descriptive name.
Evidence suggests that the Rockwood surname was used as a marker of family lineage, indicating a hereditary system in which the name was passed down from fathers to sons. Variations of the name can be found in a variety of records, including maps and church records, suggesting its use dates back to the medieval period.
In contemporary times, the Rockwood surname is dispersed throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and even India. Overall, the origin of the Rockwood surname remains unclear, however, its demeanour is often perceived as strong, reliable, and independent.
Order DNA origin analysisRockwood: Where does the name Rockwood come from?
The last name Rockwood is most common in the United States, particularly in Massachusetts and Maine. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, the last name Rockwood was the 3,247th most common name in the country at the time with over 3,233 people having the surname.
Today, the last name is still common in some states. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the last name ranks at 4,555 in the most common last names in the country with over 5,400 people having the surname. It is most common in Maine, with over 500 people having the last name Rockwood. It is also common in Massachusetts, with over 350 people having the name, and in New York, with about 250 people having the Rockwood surname.
Moreover, the last name is also present in some other states differently in the United States, such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Washington, and Nebraska. According to the Census, there are over 150 people having the last name Rockwood.
Overall, Rockwood is a fairly common last name in the United States, with an estimated 5,700 people having the surname. While the last name is most common in Maine and Massachusetts, it is still present in other states, albeit with much smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Rockwood
The Rockwood surname is derived from the Old English word "roc," meaning an oak tree. This name is found throughout England and the United States. Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Rockwood include:
Rockwood / Rockwode / Rocwood / Rokwood / Rocwud / Rookwood / Rookwode / Rocuwood / Rocquwood / Rochwood / Rochwud / Rochwood / Rookwoode / Roakwood / Roakwoode / Roakewood / Roakewoode / Rakewood / Rakewoode / Racwood / Racwoode / Rockwell / Rokwell / Rochewell / Rochell / Rochwelle.
The root of the surname Rockwood holds an interesting origin. The word "roc" is derived from the Latin "rocca," which means an oak tree or a fortified dwelling place built from oak trees. It is believed that the name was born when people with this surname settled in the areas known as Rochwood or Rockwood. This suggests that they either lived by a particularly particularly large or robust oak tree, or that they had a fortified dwelling or business built on an oak tree.
The Rockwood surname spread across the entire globe. It is found across England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and many other countries.
Famous people with the name Rockwood
- A.T. Rockwood: Former professional American basketball player.
- Aaron Rockwood: Contemporary American painter.
- Rev. Charles Rockwood: American clergyman and missionary who worked in India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Marry Rockwood: Veteran American actress known for her appearances in “Big Eyes” and “The Departed.”
- Tricia Rockwood: Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter.
- Jay Rockwood: Award-winning American author and artist.
- Austin Rockwood: Canadian actor seen in various films and TV series.
- Tamara Rockwood: American chart-topping musician who has collaborated with the likes of Lady Gaga and Pitbull.
- Lee Rockwood: American voice actor and author.
- Margaret Rockwood: American painter whose work was featured in the 2006 Whitney Biennial.
- Davis Rockwood: Retired American race car driver.
- Terry Rockwood: Established British artist and curator.
- Ian Rockwood: American comedian and writer.
- Edgar Rockwood: Liberian jazz pianist.
- Torie Rockwood: Acclaimed American film and television producer.
- Mark Rockwood: Australian saxophonist and recording artist.