Rossear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Wales

Etymology of Rossear

What does the name Rossear mean?

The Welsh name Rossear is a patronymic surname created from the Welsh personal name Rosser, which also took the form Rhosier. The surname Rossear was originally ap-Rosser or ap-Rhosier: the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ab" or "ap," means "son of," but the prefix has been assimilated into the surname over the course of time. There has also been suggestion that the name is a Welsh transformation of the Gaelic name "Mac Ruaidhri."

Early Origins of the Rossear family

The surname Rossear was first found in Herefordshire, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. The form Rosser was found in Chancery, where a Morres Rosser was recorded in Wales in 1100, in the "Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery" published during the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century.

Early History of the Rossear family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rossear research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Rossear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rossear Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Rossear name over the years has been spelled Prosser, Prousser, Proser, Prouser, Prossar, Rosser, Roser, Rossear and many more.

Early Notables of the Rossear family

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

Migration of the Rossear family

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Rossear: George Prosser settled in Virginia in 1635; along with Jane; Thomas Prosser settled in Barbados in 1634; William Prosser settled in Virginia in 1654;Hugh Rosser came to Maryland in 1665.