Show ContentsRossell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Rossell was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is derived from the Old French "Roc-el," a diminutive of "Rosce," which is itself derived from the Old French "rous," meaning "red." It is likely that the name was first bestowed as a nickname on someone with red hair or a red complexion.

Early Origins of the Rossell family

The surname Rossell was first found in Lancashire at Rossall, near Fleetwood. The village dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Rushdale. The first record of the surname was Huges de Rozel. He was one of the benefactors of the Abbey of St. Etienne at Caen, founded by William the Conquerer. It was also borne by Patriz Rozel, a Knight Templar, in 1185.

Early History of the Rossell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rossell research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1195, 1214, 1740 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Rossell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rossell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rossell, Rossel, Rosel, Rosell, Rozel, Rozell and many more.

Early Notables of the Rossell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • George Rossell of the distinguished Rossell family of Radcliffe, Nottinghamshire
  • Samuel Rossell (c.1740), a medical writer


United States Rossell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rossell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Elizabeth Rossell, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 [1]
  • George Rossell, who arrived in Maryland in 1659 [1]
  • Francis Rossell, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1683 [1]
  • Michael Rossell, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1683 [1]
Rossell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Rossell, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1763 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Rossell (post 1700) +

  • Brigadier General William Trent Rossell (1849-1919), American Army officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • E.G. Daves Rossell Ph.D, American architect
  • Christine Rossell, American professor of political science at Boston University
  • Benet Rossell i Sanuy (1937-2016), Spanish Catalan artist
  • Marina Rossell (b. 1954), Spanish Catalan singer
  • Juan Rossell (b. 1969), Cuban Olympic volleyball player
  • Thomas Rossell Potter (1799-1873), English antiquary, son of John Potter of West Hallam, Derbyshire
  • Suzanne Rossell Cryer (b. 1967), American stage and television actress


  1. 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)


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