Show ContentsRowsewell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rowsewell is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Rothwell, a place-name found in the counties of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire. 1 The place-name Rothwell is derived from the Old English words roth, which means forest clearing, and wella, which means spring or stream. The place-name as a whole translates as "spring or stream in the summer clearing." 2 In the Domesday Book, 3 compiled in 1086, each of those places was originally listed as Rodewelle.

Early Origins of the Rowsewell family

The surname Rowsewell was first found in Lincolnshire where one of the first listings of the family was Robert de Rothewelle who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Later in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls, Johanna de Rothewell and Johannes de Rothewell were listed. 1

Early History of the Rowsewell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rowsewell research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1627 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Rowsewell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rowsewell Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Rowsewell were recorded, including Rothwell, Rathwell, Rosswell, Rosewell and others.

Early Notables of the Rowsewell family

Distinguished members of the family include Richard Rothwell, the exorcist, who was born at Bolton (now in Greater Manchester) in 1563. 4 He died in 1627 and was "known as "Bold Rothwell, the Apostle of the North," and famed as an exorcist, who professed to have wonderful contests...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rowsewell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Rowsewell family to Ireland

Some of the Rowsewell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 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 Rowsewell family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Rowsewell family emigrate to North America: Elizabeth Rothwell who settled with her husband in New England in 1654; James and Hesta Rothwell arrived in Pennsylvania in 1685; William Rothwell arrived in Pennsylvania in 1807..



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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