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Show ContentsRoss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Ross is rooted in the ancient Norman culture that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was a name for someone who was a person who had the given name Andrew, which is derived from Anrias. The name may also be a nickname derived from the Old English word rouse, which means red or red-haired. 1

Early Origins of the Ross family

The surname Ross was first found in Yorkshire, although there seems to be two distinct origins of this surname. This history discusses in detail the English/Scottish borders origin of the name. For this origin, the first reference of the name was Godfrey de Ross, a vassal of the de Morevilles, obtaining from Richard de Moreville the lands of Stewarton in Cuningham. 2

This family of Ros or Ross came from Yorkshire. James de Ros, Reginald de Ross and Peter de Ross appear about the same time also as vassals of Richard de Moreville. These people are also listed as witnesses in his charters. The aforementioned Godfrey de Ross witnessed de Moreville's charter of Gillemoristun with Edulfus filius Utredi c. 1189. A few years later in 1205, Sir Godfrey de Rose, Arthur de Ross and Fergus de Rosse witnessed an agreement between the burgesses of Irvine and Brice of Eglunstone.

Robert de Ros or Rosse (d. 1227), "baron, was the son of Everard de Ros of Helmsley or Hamlake in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The family also held lands in Holderness, where was situated Ros, to which they gave, or from which they received, their name. Robert succeeded to his father's lands in 1191, paying a relief of one thousand marks. In 1195 he was bailiff and castellan of Bonneville-sur-Touques in Lower Normandy, near which the Norman lands of the family lay." 3

"The manor [at Roos, Yorkshire] was from the reign of Henry I. the seat and property of the noble family of Roos, one of whose barons had the glory of leading the second division of the English army at the battle of Cressy. The site is still visible of the castle of the former barons; and in part of the old moat have been lately found a misericorde dagger and some amber beads. The place confers the original title on the present family of De Ros." 4

Early History of the Ross family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ross research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1363, 1370, 1372, 1390, 1394, 1396, 1403, 1404, 1413, 1414, 1455, 1508 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Ross History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ross Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Ros, Roose, Ross, Ruse and others.

Early Notables of the Ross family

Notable amongst bearers of this family name during their early history was

  • The 5th Earl of Ross, William, who died in 1372

Ross World Ranking

In the United States, the name Ross is the 80th most popular surname with an estimated 238,752 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Ross is ranked the 38th most popular surname with an estimated 43,175 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Ross is the 309th popular surname. 7 Australia ranks Ross as 64th with 35,042 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Ross as 68th with 4,908 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Ross as 106th with 44,509 people. 10 South Africa ranks Ross as 708th with 9,639 people. 11

Ireland Migration of the Ross family to Ireland

Some of the Ross family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Ross migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Ross or a variant listed above:

Ross Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Daniel Ross, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1651 12
  • Alester Ross, who landed in America in 1652 12
Ross Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Andreas Ross, who landed in New York in 1710 12
  • Charles Ross, who arrived in South Carolina in 1716 12
  • Christopher Ross, aged 55, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 12
  • Jean Ross, who landed in New York, NY in 1738 12
  • Anneal Ross, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1740-1741 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ross Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Casper Ross, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 12
  • Gerret Ross, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 12
  • Anna Ross, aged 50, who arrived in New York in 1807 12
  • John Ross, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1810 12
  • Eleanor Ross, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Ross migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ross Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Catherine Ross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
  • Christina Ross, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
  • Donald Ross, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
  • Janet Ross, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
  • Mr. Donald Ross U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1776 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ross Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Ross, aged 30, Scottish labourer who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 3 children 12
  • James Ross, aged 51, Scottish labourer who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 9 children 12
  • Alexander Ross, aged 60, Scottish milwright who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 5 children 12
  • John Ross, aged 70, Scottish farmer who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 3 children 12
  • Donald Ross, aged 60, Scottish labourer who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 1 child 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Ross migration to Australia +

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

Ross Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Ross, (b. 1785), aged 22, English weaver who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1834 14
  • Mr. James Ross, Scottish labourer who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. John Ross, British Convict who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr.Thomas Ross, (b. 1798), aged 21, Irish shoe maker who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Bencoolen" on 24th April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia before being transferred to Tasmania via the "Admiral Cockburn" 17
  • Mr. Charles Ross, (Aledander), (b. 1801), aged 19, British clerk who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years for passing forged notes, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1848 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Ross 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:

Ross Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • George Ross, aged 21, a blacksmith, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Robert Ross, aged 23, a baker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
  • Mary Ross, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
  • James Ross, aged 37, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
  • Catherine Ross, aged 36, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ross (post 1700) +

  • Diana Ross (b. 1944), American singer, songwriter, and actress, founding member and lead singer of the vocal group The Supremes, inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Douglas George "Doug" Ross (1951-2022), American college ice hockey player, 1976 USA Olympic hockey player and former college ice hockey head coach
  • Donald Kemp Ross (1943-2022), American public interest lawyer who proposed the model of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGS) with Ralph Nader
  • Lee David Ross (1942-2021), Canadian-born, American Stanford Federal Credit Union Professor of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University
  • Annabelle Allan "Annie" Ross (1930-2020), British-American singer and actress, best known as a member of the jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
  • Lillian Ross (1918-2017), born Lillian Rosovsky, an American journalist and author, staff writer at The New Yorker from 1945
  • Arthur Ross (1910-2007), American businessman and philanthropist
  • Jerry Jan Ross (1933-2017), American songwriter, best known for his song "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
  • Wilbur Louis Ross Jr. (b. 1937), American investor, and former banker, 39th United States Secretary of Commerce (2017-)
  • Master Sergeant Wilburn Kirby Ross (1922-2017), American Army soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944 for his actions on October 30, 1944
  • ... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. William Ross (d. 1914), British Greaser from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
  • Mr. Thomas Ross (1889-1914), American Third Class Passenger from Detroit, Michigan, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Halifax Explosion
  • Miss Eileen  Ross (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
  • Master Clifford  Ross (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
  • Master Freddie  Ross (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
  • Miss Maggie Carey  Ross (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
  • Miss Doris  Ross (1914-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Donald Ross (1899-1941), Australian Petty Officer Steward from Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 21
  • Mr. James Thompson Ross (1913-1941), Australian Supply Petty Officer from Manly, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 21
HMS Royal Oak
  • John Ross, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 22
  • James Ross, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 22
  • Theodore William Ross (1917-1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
  • Gordon Ian McLeod Ross (1899-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
North Sea Flood
  • Allan Ross, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
  • John G. Ross, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Henry Ross, English Barkeeper from Aintree, Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. E. W. Ross, Irish Fireman from Wexford, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Horace Leopold Ross, aged 36, English Scullion from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 13 24
  • Mr. John Hugo Ross (d. 1912), aged 36, Canadian First Class passenger from Winnipeg, Manitoba who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. Peter Ronald Ross (b. 1893), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
  • Mr. Robert Ross (b. 1882), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
  • Mr. William John Ross (b. 1891), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
  • Mr. William Ross (b. 1868), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Deane Lundy Ross, American Seaman Second Class from New York, 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 25
  • Mr. William Fraser Ross, American Gunner's Mate Third Class from New York, 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 25

The Ross Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spem successus alit
Motto Translation: Success nourishes hope

Suggested Readings for the name Ross +

  • The Baron, The Logger, the Miner, and Me by John H. Toole.
  • Crossroads in Kansas: A Stearns-Ross Genealogy by Phyllis Ross Kostner.
  • History of the Clan Ross by Alexander M. Ross.
  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. "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
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. 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)
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bencoolen
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
  19. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  20. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  21. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  22. 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
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  24. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  25. 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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