Surname Rosseter - Meaning and Origin
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Rosseter: What does the surname Rosseter mean?
The last name Rosseter is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Roman place name "Corsaid", meaning "a marsh". The name likely began as a reference to an area of land surrounded by marshland. The name is largely associated with Old Ross, a small coastal town in Scotland.
In the Middle Ages Rosseter was known as the surname of an important noble family in Scotland. The family was granted lands in Argyll, Scotland, likely part of the Ballimalair estate of Strathfillan. Their power and influence flourished for generations, leading to the Rosseters holding position in government, military and religious organisations, including many key clergy positions in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Rosseter clan continues to exist today, though many of its members have left Scotland and begun numerous new branches throughout Europe and the United States. The family name has gained some recognition over the years, with famous Rosseters including John Rosseter, a composer, and Benjamin Rosseter, an English naturalist.
Throughout its long history,Rosseter has been an important name in Scotland, gaining respect and prestige in many fascinating and varied areas. Today, its name continues to carry a strong family tradition and pride that has been handed down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisRosseter: Where does the name Rosseter come from?
The surname Rosseter is still common today, particularly in the United Kingdom. According to the Office for National Statistics, Rosseter is the 1,331st most common surname in England and Wales, with 1,919 people bearing the name in the 2011 census.
The prevalence of the name Rosseter is primarily confined to the UK, and its popularity outside of the British Isles is negligible. However, there is a small smattering of Rosseter families in East France and in Germany, with a dozen or two scattered around Europe in countries such as Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.
Although the name Rosseter is not especially common in the United States, it can nonetheless be found there. The first Rosseter to come to the US is thought to have been Abraham Rosseter, who emigrated from Radford, Nottinghamshire in 1754. By the 1860 census, there were 18 people with the Rosseter surname living in the US, mainly in Pennsylvania and New York. Since then the name has spread to other states, particularly Ohio and Michigan. Today, an estimated 5,000 people across the country carry the Rosseter surname.
Variations of the surname Rosseter
Rosseter is a name with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is an unusual surname, not found amongst many of the most common names. According to historical records, the name is thought to have derived from the Latin ‘Roterus’.
Variants of Rosseter include the spellings Rossiter, Rossitur, Rosettar, Rosittar, Rositar, Rosetar and Rossitter. In some Eastern European countries, the name has been recorded as Rosyter.
The surname has a number of surnames that are derived from it. These include Rothseter, Rotzetter, Rogister, Rosster and Rottster. The most likely origin for all of these is the same root.
In the United States, the name has been expressed in forms such as Rousseau, Ruset, Russell, Rascal and Roussell. These are likely to be later derivatives of the name over the course of centuries.
In the United Kingdom, the name is often spelt as Rozier. Other variations in the UK include Rosseter, Rozater, Roser, Rowser and Roose. Variations in other countries include Christman and Rosseter in Germany, Rossiere in Denmark, Rozici, Roelli and Rossetti in Italy and Rossiter in Australia.
Presently, the Rosseter name is found spread across many countries, although with a large presence in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is not common but is not rare, with an estimated presence of 2000 people across the world.
Famous people with the name Rosseter
- Matthew Rosén: Swedish actor and musician
- Mark Rosseter: American actor
- Clifton Rosseter: Canadian mountaineer
- Christopher Rossiter: British politician
- Barbara Rosseter: American tennis coach
- Tommy Rosseter: English rock guitarist
- Janis Rosseter: New Zealander field hockeyer
- Moray Rosseter: Scottish actor
- Kenneth Rossetter: American actor
- Beverly Rossetter: American actress