Show ContentsRose History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Rose Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Rose

What does the name Rose mean?

The ancient and distinguished surname Rose is derived from the Middle High German word "rose," meaning "a rose." The name may have been first borne by someone who lived near a rose garden, or by someone who lived in a house bearing the sign of the rose. Alternatively, the name may be of nickname origin, referring to someone with a "rosy" complexion. The surname is common in many European countries, including England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as Germany, and can be found under a large number of spelling variations.

Early Origins of the Rose family

The surname Rose was first found in Silesia, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The origins of the name make it likely that several branches of the family emerged independently during the Middle Ages; there are records dating from the 13th documenting the presence of the name Rose in Schleswig-Holstein, Pomerania, Alsace, Swabia, and Bohemia, as well as Silesia.

Early History of the Rose family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rose research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1579, 1581, 1631, 1639, 1685, 1736, 1762, 1771, 1795, 1798, 1807, 1864 and 1873 are included under the topic Early Rose History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rose Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rose, Rosse, Rhose, Roese, Roser, Roeser, Roze, Roos, Roose, Roosa, Roosen and many more.

Early Notables of the Rose family

  • Valentine Rose the elder (1736-1771) was the discoverer of "Rose's fusible metal." His son, Valentine Rose the younger (b.1762-1807), also made important chemical discoveries. Of his four children, He...

Rose World Ranking

the United States, the name Rose is the 157th most popular surname with an estimated 146,733 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Rose is ranked the 204th most popular surname with an estimated 18,720 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Rose is the 964th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Rose as 25th with 711 people. 4 France ranks Rose as 476th with 9,328 people. 5 Australia ranks Rose as 135th with 20,389 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Rose as 166th with 3,147 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Rose as 140th with 35,884 people. 8

Rose migration to the United States +



Rose Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mary, Samuel, and John Rose, who settled in Virginia in 1608
  • Miss Rebecca Rose, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Mary Gold" 10
  • Mr. Robert Rose, aged 40, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Francis" 10
  • Mrs. Margery Rose, aged 40, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Francis" 10
  • Mr. John Rose, aged 15, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Francis" 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rose Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter and Johanna Rose, who sailed to New York in 1708
  • Cornelius Rose, who landed in Virginia in 1717 11
  • Peter Rodolf Rose, who settled in Georgia in 1734
  • Anna Catherina Rose, who arrived in Georgia in 1737 11
  • Richard Rose, who settled in Trepassey in 1753
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rose Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andreas Rose, who landed in America in 1832 11
  • Bernard Hendrik Rose, aged 28, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1846 11
  • Aleita Rose, aged 27, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1846 11
  • Anna Rose, who landed in Texas in 1846 11
  • Carl Rose, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Rose migration to Canada +

Rose Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Noel Rose, son of Nicolas and Jeanne, who married Marie Dumont, daughter of Michel and Isabelle, in Quebec on 7th January 1666 12
Rose Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Rose, son of Noel and Marie, who married Marie Patenotre, daughter of Jean and Marie, in Quebec on 29th July 1704 12
  • John Rose, who settled in St. Mary's, Newfoundland in 1720 13
  • Nicolas Rose, son of Noel and Marie, who married Marie-Josephte Prudhomme, daughter of Pierre and Marie-Anne, in Montreal, Quebec on 1st February 1722 12
  • Charles-François Rose, son of Noel and Marie, who married Marie-Thérèse Dubeau, daughter of Laurent and Françoise-Paule, in Montreal, Quebec on 3rd November 1723 12
  • John Rose was a constable of Ferryland district, Newfoundland in 1730 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Rose Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Rose, aged 32, a smith, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
  • Margaret Rose, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
  • David Rose, who landed in Canada in 1841

Rose migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Mary Rose, (1769 - 1832), aged 18, British convict convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Joseph Rose, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. Robert Rose, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Rose Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Rose, (b. 1773), aged 24, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1829 14
Rose Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Rose 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:

Rose Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Rose, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "David Owen" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 19
  • James Rose, aged 26, a blacksmith, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
  • Deborah Rose, aged 28, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
  • John Rose, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
  • Mr. Edwin Rose, British settler referred to as the Parkhurst Boys travelling from London aboard the ship "Mandarin" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th November 1843, he had been taught trades and pardoned to live in New Zealand 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rose (post 1700) +

  • Alison Rose (1944-2025), American model, actress and writer,1985 began work as a receptionist at The New Yorker and later became a writer for the magazine's Talk of the Town section, in 2004, published the memoir Better than Sane: Tales from a Dangling Girl, which told of her life at The New Yorker, including numerous relationships with key writers, such as Harold Brodkey
  • Anthony M. Rose (1990-2013), American forest firefighter killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, near Yarnell, Arizona, ignited by lightning on June 28, 2013; he was eulogized by Jake Picking in the film Only the Brave (2017)
  • Hilly Rose (1926-2017), American radio personality and a pioneer of the talk radio format
  • Marshall Rose (1937-2025), American real estate developer and philanthropist, founder of the Georgetown Company, which oversaw the renovation of Madison Square Garden and the construction of the IAC Building
  • Devorah Rose, born Deborah Denise Trachtenberg, American Editor-in-Chief of Social Life Magazine, television personality and entrepreneur
  • Pete Rose (1941-2024), American former Major League Baseball player and manager, known as Charlie Hustle
  • Amber Rose (b. 1983), born Amber Rose Levonchuck, an American model, rapper, television personality and model for the Louis Vuitton brand and a Ford Model, host of The Amber Rose Show, for VH1, and began host of the syndicated radio call-in program Loveline
  • Axl Rose (b. 1962), born William Bruce Rose Jr., an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012
  • Charles Allen "Pat" Rose (1930-2022), American politician, Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee, from 1975 to 1983
  • ... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bismarck
  • Kurt Rose (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 20
  • Johannes Rose (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 21
  • Gerhard Rose (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 21
  • Herbert La Rose (1916-1941), German Bootsmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 21
  • Miss. Katrina M. Rose (1970-1996), from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA, American passenger traveling with Sandra Hazelton flying aboard Flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 21
  • ... (Another 17 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Rose +

  • Descendants of Robert Rose of Wethersfield and Branford, Connecticut: who came on the Ship Franc.
  • in 1634 from Ipswich, England by Christine Rose.
  • William Rose of Surry County, Virginia by Eunice Brooks Freese.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "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
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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)
  12. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  21. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm

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