Show ContentsRotherman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Rotherman is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rotherman family lived in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Rotherham, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the north division of the wapentake of Strafforth and Tickhill. The place name literally means "homestead or village on the River Rother," 1 "The town was formerly celebrated for its manufacture of edge tools; and in 1160, there were mines of ironstone, smelting-furnaces, and forges in the neighbourhood." 2 The local was named Rodreham in the Domesday Book. 3

Early Origins of the Rotherman family

The surname Rotherman was first found in Yorkshire where they were Lords of the Manor of Rotherham. Conjecturally they are descended from the Count of Mortain who held the lands and village of Rotherham at the taking of the Domesday Book in the year 1086, a census initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England. The hamlet of Rotherham consisted mainly of one single Church.

Early History of the Rotherman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rotherman research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1423, 1500, 1600, 1610, 1630, 1648, 1694, 1696, 1752, 1772 and 1907 are included under the topic Early Rotherman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rotherman Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Rotherman has been recorded under many different variations, including Rotherham, Rotheram, Rothram, Rudrum, Rudderham and others.

Early Notables of the Rotherman family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Caleb Rotheram (1694-1752), English dissenting minister and tutor, born at Great Salkeld, Cumberland. Sir John Rotheram (1630-1696), was an English lawyer, son of Thomas Atwood Rotherham, vicar of Pirton, Hertfordshire, and of Boreham, Essex...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rotherman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Rotherman family to Ireland

Some of the Rotherman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rotherman family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Rothermans were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: John Rotherham who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1855; followed by George and William Rotherham in 1856; and John Rotherham in 1857.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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