Rossowhourn Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The proud Rossowhourn family originated in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Rossowhourn family originally lived at Rosewarne estate in Camborne in the county of Cornwall which had anciently owners of the same name, who held the estates until the reign of James I., when De Rosewarne sold it to Ezekiel Grosse, gentleman and attorney at law. According to legend, a ghost pointed out to him a great treasure in the mansion (hidden there doubtless by one of the Rosewarnes) which he appropriated; but the "phantom" so haunted him, that he sold it to his clerk, John Call.

Rossowhourn Early Origins

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The surname Rossowhourn was first found in Cornwall at Rosewarne, now a hamlet north of Camborne. The family resided at Rosowhorne Kaye or Key from ancient times.

Rossowhourn Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Rosewaren, Rosewarren, Rosewarn, Rosewarne, Rosewarran, Rossewarn, Rosowhorne, Rosewhorne and many more.

Rossowhourn Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rossowhourn research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rossowhourn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rossowhourn Early Notables (pre 1700)

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

The Great Migration

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Rossowhourn: Mathias Roseworne who landed in North America in 1783.

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Citations

^ Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Other References

Foster, Joseph. Dictionary of Heraldry Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees. London: Bracken Books, 1989. Print. (ISBN 1-85170-309-8).
Bardsley, C.W. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6).
Crozier, William Armstrong Edition. Crozier's General Armory A Registry of American Families Entitled to Coat Armor. New York: Fox, Duffield, 1904. Print.
Bullock, L.G. Historical Map of England and Wales. Edinburgh: Bartholomew and Son, 1971. Print.
Burke, Sir Bernard. Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage and Baronetage, The Privy Council, Knightage and Compainonage. London: Burke Publishing, 1921. Print.
Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania Genealogies Scotch-Irish and German. Harrisburg: L.S. Hart, 1886. Print.
Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 Edited by Samuel Eliot Morrison 2 Volumes. New York: Russell and Russell, 1968. Print.
Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Galveston Texas 1896-1951. National Archives Washington DC. Print.
MacAulay, Thomas Babington. History of England from the Accession of James the Second 4 volumes. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1879. Print.
Burke, Sir Bernard. Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry: Including American Families with British Ancestry. (2 Volumes). London: Burke Publishing, 1939. Print.
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The Rossowhourn Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Rossowhourn Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 5 November 2015 at 14:09.