Roots History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the name Roots was first found in Britina. It was a name for a happy or cheerful person. The surname Roots was originally derived from the Old English word rot, which meant glad or pleased.

Early Origins of the Roots family

The surname Roots was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Roots family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roots research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1086 is included under the topic Early Roots History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roots Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Roots are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Roots include Root, Rouet, Rout, Roots, Roote, Rootes and others.

Early Notables of the Roots family

More information is included under the topic Early Roots Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roots migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Roots, or a variant listed above:

Roots Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Roots, who arrived in Virginia in 1655 1
Josiah Roots, who landed in Beverly, Massachusetts in 1667 1

Roots Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Bastian Roots, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 1
Johannes Roots, aged 28, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 1

Roots Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Roots, who landed in America in 1807 1

Roots Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Edward Roots, aged 24, who landed in America from Southampton, in 1905
Ernest Arthur W. Roots, aged 25, who landed in America from Snodland, England, in 1908
Ruth Matilda Roots, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1908
Daisy Amelia Roots, aged 25, who immigrated to America from Snodland, England, in 1908
Thomas William Roots, aged 37, who immigrated to America from London, England, in 1913
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roots migration to Australia +

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

Roots Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Richard Roots, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 2

Roots 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:

Roots Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Roots, aged 40, a gardener, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Mary Roots, aged 36, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Joseph B. Roots, aged 4, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Mr. John Roots, (b. 1800), aged 40, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 3
Mrs. Mary Roots, (b. 1804), aged 36, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Roots (post 1700) +

Logan Holt Roots (1841-1893), American soldier and politician, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War and was a U.S. Representative from Arkansas (1868-1971)