Show ContentsRose History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Researchers have been unable to trace the origin of this Clan to before 1155, as the Clan apparently took no part in the ancient rebellion of the Moray Clans and therefore was not recorded as being transported by Malcolm IV (as many of their neighbors were).

However, the answer may lie with a knight named Ros, of Ros, near Caen, who accompanied William the Conqueror and was given lands in 1069 in Kent, England by the half brother of the Conqueror, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Those territories were either enlarged or acquired by a marriage to the heiress Mary Bosco.

The Boscos were a noble Norman family. During that period of unrest many noble families moved northwards in the train of Margaret, King Malcolm Ceanmore's second wife, to escape the ponderous rule of William. Because of the tightly knit family connections of the Rose and the Bosco families, the origin seems quite certain.

Early Origins of the Rose family

The surname Rose was first found in Nairn, in Kilravock County, Scotland. The family settled in this area in 1282, when Hugh Rose of Geddes married Mary, daughter of Sir Andrew de Bosco. Mary Bosco was the heiress of the Bissets of Lovat. Hugh Rose was the son of the Hugh Rose of Geddes who witnessed a Charter in Beauly prior to 1219 and is the first recorded Chief of the Clan. Hugh of Kilravock (the son) was one of the few who did not submit to King Edward I of England in 1296. His son, William, captured Invernairn Castle for Robert the Bruce in 1306. [1]

Early History of the Rose family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rose research. Another 429 words (31 lines of text) covering the years 1390, 1460, 1474, 1492, 1562, 1598, 1634, 1647, 1675, 1679, 1684, 1689, 1704, 1715, 1720, 1744, 1745, 1758, 1759, 1762, 1771, 1775, 1782, 1790, 1792, 1793, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1800, 1801, 1809, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1827, 1828, 1834, 1835, 1841, 1843, 1845, 1848, 1851, 1855, 1858, 1860, 1863, 1872, 1873 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Rose History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rose Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rose, Roose, Ròs (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Rose family

Notable among the family at this time was

  • Arthur Rose (Ross) (1634-1704), a Scottish minister, Archbishop of St Andrews (1684-1689), Bishop of Argyll (1675-1679)
  • Alexander Rose (1647-1720) was a Scottish scholar, minister and bishop, Professor of Divinity at the University of Glasgow and Principal of St Mary's College, St Andrews

Rose World Ranking

In the United States, the name Rose is the 157th most popular surname with an estimated 146,733 people with that name. [2] However, in Canada, the name Rose is ranked the 204th most popular surname with an estimated 18,720 people with that name. [3] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Rose is the 964th popular surname. [4] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Rose as 25th with 711 people. [5] France ranks Rose as 476th with 9,328 people. [6] Australia ranks Rose as 135th with 20,389 people. [7] New Zealand ranks Rose as 166th with 3,147 people. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Rose as 140th with 35,884 people. [9]

Ireland Migration of the Rose family to Ireland

Some of the Rose family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Rose migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rose Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mary, Samuel, and John Rose, who settled in Virginia in 1608
  • Miss Rebecca Rose, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Mary Gold" [10]
  • Danyell Rose, aged 3, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Francis" [11]
  • Darcas Rose, aged 2, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Francis" [11]
  • Mr. Robert Rose, aged 40, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Francis" [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rose Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter and Johanna Rose, who sailed to New York in 1708
  • Cornelius Rose, who landed in Virginia in 1717 [11]
  • Peter Rodolf Rose, who settled in Georgia in 1734
  • Anna Catherina Rose, who arrived in Georgia in 1737 [11]
  • Richard Rose, who settled in Trepassey in 1753
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rose Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andreas Rose, who landed in America in 1832 [11]
  • Anna Rose, who landed in Texas in 1846 [11]
  • Bernard Hendrik Rose, aged 28, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1846 [11]
  • Aleita Rose, aged 27, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1846 [11]
  • Carl Rose, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Rose migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rose Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Noel Rose, son of Nicolas and Jeanne, who married Marie Dumont, daughter of Michel and Isabelle, in Quebec on 7th January 1666 [12]
Rose Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Rose, son of Noel and Marie, who married Marie Patenotre, daughter of Jean and Marie, in Quebec on 29th July 1704 [12]
  • John Rose, who settled in St. Mary's, Newfoundland in 1720 [13]
  • Nicolas Rose, son of Noel and Marie, who married Marie-Josephte Prudhomme, daughter of Pierre and Marie-Anne, in Montreal, Quebec on 1st February 1722 [12]
  • Charles-François Rose, son of Noel and Marie, who married Marie-Thérèse Dubeau, daughter of Laurent and Françoise-Paule, in Montreal, Quebec on 3rd November 1723 [12]
  • John Rose was a constable of Ferryland district, Newfoundland in 1730 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rose Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Rose, aged 32, a smith, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
  • Margaret Rose, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
  • David Rose, who landed in Canada in 1841

Australia Rose migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Rose Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Rose, (b. 1773), aged 24, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1829 [14]
Rose Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Rose, British Convict who was convicted in Hampshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • Thomas Rose, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Mr. Richard Rose, (b. 1782), aged 31, English sailor who was convicted in Winchester, Hampshire, England for life for an offence against the crown, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • Mr. George Rose, English convict who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
  • Mr. William Rose, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Rose migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Rose Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Rose, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "David Owen" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 [19]
  • James Rose, aged 26, a blacksmith, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
  • Deborah Rose, aged 28, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
  • John Rose, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
  • William Rose, aged 36, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Westminster" in 1843
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rose (post 1700) +

  • Axl Rose (b. 1962), born William Bruce Rose Jr., an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012
  • Charles Allen "Pat" Rose (1930-2022), American politician, Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee, from 1975 to 1983
  • Lee Hyden Rose (1936-2022), American college athletic administrator and head men's basketball at Transylvania University
  • Robert John Rose (1930-2022), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord in Michigan from 1981 to 1989 and Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan from 1989 to 2003
  • Robert E. Rose (1939-2022), American politician, 26th Lieutenant Governor of Nevada (1975-1979), Associate Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court (1989-2007)
  • Merle Richard Rose (1933-2021), American academic,10th President of Alfred University (1974-1978), 7th President of the Rochester Institute of Technology (1979-1992)
  • Barbara Ellen Rose (1936-2020), American art historian, art critic, curator, college professor, and filmmaker
  • Burton "Bud" David Rose (1942-2020), American nephrologist and the creator of UpToDate; he died from COVID-19
  • Charles Peete "Charlie" Rose Jr. (b. 1942), American television journalist and talk show host; he co-anchored CBS This Morning from 2012 to 2017, in November 2017, CBS, PBS and Bloomberg all cancelled his show after eight women accused him of sexual harassment
  • Rusty Rose (1942-2016), American entrepreneur, owner of the Texas Rangers (1989-1997)
  • ... (Another 31 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Kurt Rose (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [20]
  • Johannes Rose (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [20]
  • Gerhard Rose (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [20]
  • Herbert La Rose (1916-1941), German Bootsmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [20]
Flight TWA 800
  • Miss. Katrina M. Rose (1970-1996), from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA, American passenger traveling with Sandra Hazelton flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash [21]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. William R Rose (b. 1921), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [22]
  • Mr. William J Rose (b. 1917), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Brighton, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [22]
  • Mr. Reginald T Rose (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Kingston, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [22]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Mervin P A Rose, British Leading Air Mechanician, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [23]
HMS Royal Oak
  • P. Rose, British Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [24]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. William Rose, English Second Waiter from Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [25]
  • Mr. Fred J. Rose, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [26]
Rosedale Sawmill
  • Mr. Alexander Rose (1868-1913), Newfoundlander from Traytown who was working on the 2nd July 1913 at the Rosedale Sawmill when there was an explosion, he died
SS Atlantic
  • Edwin Rose, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Rebecca Rose, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
SS Caribou
  • Miss Margaret Rose, Newfoundland passenger from Newfoundland and Labrador was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, she died in the sinking
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Chester Clay Rose, American Boatswain's Mate First Class from Kentucky, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [27]


Suggested Readings for the name Rose +

  • Descendants of Robert Rose of Wethersfield and Branford, Connecticut: who came on the Ship Franc.
  • in 1634 from Ipswich, England by Christine Rose.
  • William Rose of Surry County, Virginia by Eunice Brooks Freese.

  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  4. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  5. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  6. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  12. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  21. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
  22. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  23. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  24. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  25. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  26. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  27. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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