Show ContentsRosewall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Rosewall

What does the name Rosewall mean?

The Rosewall surname is a Cornish habitation name taken on from the place name Ryswal in the parish of Towednack. The place name comes from the Cornish words "res," meaning "ford," and "wall," meaning "a rampart."

Early Origins of the Rosewall family

The surname Rosewall was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.

Early History of the Rosewall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rosewall research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1327, 1519, 1520, 1588, 1590, 1599, 1619, 1630, 1635, 1640, 1656, 1671, 1679, 1682, 1684, 1692, 1722 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Rosewall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rosewall Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rossell, Rosewell, Rosewall, Rosswell and others.

Early Notables of the Rosewall family

Notable amongst the family at this time was William Rosewell (born about 1520), Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth, born in Loxton, Somerset; Richard Rosewell (c.1588-1640) of Dunkerton, gentleman; Sir Henry Rosewell (1590-1656) of Forde Abbey, Devon...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rosewall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Rosewall migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rosewall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William H. Rosewall, (b. 1875), aged 24, Cornish seaman, from St Ives, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 16th July 1899 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 1
Rosewall Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. William Henry Rosewall, (b. 1876), aged 27, Cornish miner, from St Ives, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd October 1903 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 1
  • Mrs. Florence Rosewall, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish settler, from St Ives, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd October 1903 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 1
  • Mr. Jeremiah Rosewall, (b. 1884), aged 19, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th August 1903 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 1

Rosewall migration to Australia +

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

Rosewall Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Rosewall, (b. 1809), aged 40, Cornish miner from Gwennap, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Duchess of Northum" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th January 1849 2
  • Mrs. Mary Rosewall, (b. 1812), aged 37, Cornish settler from Gwennap, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Duchess of Northum" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th January 1849 2
  • Miss Mary Rosewall, (b. 1832), aged 17, Cornish nursemaid from Gwennap, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Duchess of Northum" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th January 1849 2
  • Miss Elizabeth Rosewall, (b. 1837), aged 12, Cornish settler from Gwennap, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Duchess of Northum" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th January 1849 2
  • Mr. James Rosewall, (b. 1841), aged 8, Cornish settler from Gwennap, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Duchess of Northum" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th January 1849 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rosewall (post 1700) +

  • Kenneth Ronald "Ken" Rosewall AM MBE (b. 1934), Australian tennis player, winner of 23 Majors including eight Grand Slam singles titles


  1. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf


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