Show ContentsRockhill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the bearers of the Rockhill family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in the village of Rock found in the various locations that existed in Worcestershire, Devon and also in Northumberland. The surname also has topographic origins in that it describes the area where the original bearers lived. In this case they lived at some residence near a large boulder or rock face.

Early Origins of the Rockhill family

The surname Rockhill was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Rockhill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rockhill research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1378, 1379, 1380, 1407 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Rockhill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rockhill Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Rockhill include Rock, Rocks, Roch, Rocke, Rocker, Rooker, Rucker and others.

Early Notables of the Rockhill family

More information is included under the topic Early Rockhill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Rockhill family to Ireland

Some of the Rockhill family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Rockhill migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Rockhill or a variant listed above:

Rockhill Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Rockhill, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1895
  • L. H. Rockhill, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1896
  • H.B. Rockhill, aged 34, who immigrated to the United States, in 1897
Rockhill Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. W. W. Rockhill, who immigrated to the United States, in 1903
  • W. Edith P. Rockhill, aged 33, who landed in America, in 1910
  • Walker W. Rockhill, aged 47, who settled in America, in 1910
  • Arthur Rockhill, aged 30, who immigrated to America from London, England, in 1911
  • Edith Rockhill, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1911
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rockhill (post 1700) +

  • Dan Rockhill, American principal of the Architecture firm Rockhill and Associates
  • Gabriel Rockhill (b. 1972), American philosopher, cultural critic, writer and public intellectual, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Villanova University
  • William Woodville Rockhill (1854-1914), United States diplomat, best known as the author of the U.S.'s Open Door Policy for China
  • William W. Rockhill, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1893-97
  • William Rockhill (1793-1865), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Indiana State House of Representatives, 1834-36, 1836-37; Candidate for Presidential Elector for Indiana, 1836; Member of Indiana State Senate, 1844-47;
  • Morrison A. Rockhill (b. 1961), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1940 (alternate), 1944, 1948 (alternate)
  • H. K. Rockhill, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington 2nd District, 1909
  • William Rockhill Nelson (1841-1915), American real estate developer and co-founder of The Kansas City Star in Kansas City, Missouri


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