Rogister History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsIn ancient Anglo Saxon England, the Rogister family lived in the region of Rochester in Kent. Rogister is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. The variants Register and Rogister are "derived from an official title, 'the registrar,' a recorder from the Middle English registrere," 1 and is generally thought to be variants of the name Rochester. 2 3 Early Origins of the Rogister familyThe surname Rogister was first found in Kent where the name was first recorded by Bede (c. 730) under the names of Dorubrevi and Hrofoecoestre. The first reference refers to the Briton name that was derived from "duro" meaning "fortress" or "bridge" while the second reference is derived from the Old English word for "roof" 4. Early Essex records reveal Turoldus (de) Rouecestra recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 5 and Robert Rouchestre listed in the Assize Roll of Essex in 1377. 3 Solomon de Rochester (died 1294) was an English "judge, was a native of Rochester, whence he took his name. His brother Gilbert held the living of Tong in Kent. Solomon took orders, and was apparently employed by Henry III in a legal capacity. In 1274 he was appointed justice in eyre for Middlesex, and in the following year for Worcestershire." 6 Today Rochester is a town in Kent which dates back to before 43 AD, named Durobrivae by the Romans. Rochester Castle stands on grounds that have been fortified since the Roman arrival. The Norman keep that was built in 1127 still stands majestically today. Rochester is also a small village in Northumberland and Staffordshire. "This parish, anciently called Rocetter, or Roucestre, comprises about 2370 acres." 7 Early History of the Rogister familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rogister research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1494 and 1557 are included under the topic Early Rogister History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Rogister Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Rogister has been spelled many different ways, including Rochester, Roccester, Wrocester, Wrochester, Register and many more. Early Notables of the Rogister familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Sir Robert Rochester (c. 1494-1557), English comptroller of the household to Queen Mary, eldest of the three sons of John Rochester, by his wife... Migration of the Rogister familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Rogisters to arrive in North America: John Rochester settled in Virginia in 1638; Elizabeth Rochester settled in Maryland in 1677.
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