Surname Rowand - Meaning and Origin

Rowand: What does the surname Rowand mean?

Rowand is a surname that originated from Scotland. It is considered as a derivation of Rowan, a Scottish-Gaelic name derived from the word "ruadh," which means "red." The name was typically given to individuals with red hair or a ruddy complexion, indicating a physical characteristic of the first person who used the name. The Rowan tree also holds significant importance in Celtic mythology, and was often associated with protection and inspiration. Therefore, the last name Rowand could be connected to tradition, origin, physical characteristics and ancestry. It is also suggested that the name may have been a location-based surname, belonging to people who lived near a rowan tree or grove. Thus, the exact meaning can differ based on familial histories and origins.

Rowand: Where does the name Rowand come from?

The last name Rowand is most prevalent today in the eastern United States, although it has spread to Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world. In the United States, the State of Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of Rowands. In other states, the name can be found predominantly in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, and Ohio.

The Rowand name originated in Scotland and means "in the clearing." Where the family initially settled in Scotland is unknown, but records indicate that it came over to the United States in the early 1700s. The Rowands were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania, and their name can be found listed in colonial records. They were farmers, craftsmen, and laborers, and they soon spread to other states in search of better opportunities.

Today, Rowands can be found in every state. They are mostly concentrated in the eastern United States, though. Aside from Pennsylvania, families with the name Rowand can also be seen in smaller numbers in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, and Ohio. There is also a cluster in the western U.S. states of California, Arizona, and Washington. In the present day, the Rowand name is associated with strength and a strong sense of history. It is a name of a proud family with deep roots in America.

Variations of the surname Rowand

The surname Rowand is of early medieval English origin and is a nickname derived from Old French "roue", meaning "a wheel". Variants of this surname include: Rowan, Rowney, Rowney, Rownie, Rowanne, Rowanny, Rowane, Rowanston, Rowsey, Rawson, Rawston, and Roland.

Rowand is most commonly found in England and Scotland, and it can be found in other countries of the English diaspora such as the United States, Australia, and Canada.

The spelling of Rowand was standardised during the 15th and 16th centuries in documents written in the Latin language. The original spelling of this surname was Rouland and the different spellings of this surname found in documents dating from this period often reflect dialectal or local pronunciations.

In England and Scotland, Rowand is most commonly pronounced as ROW-und or ROW-awnd. It is also sometimes broadened to RAH-und, especially in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.

The formation of variants of this surname, often through transcription and recording errors made by non-English speaking officials, is one of the reasons why the surname Rowand can be found spelled in so many different ways.

Variants of the surname Rowand are also found as Welsh patronymic surnames, such as the modern Howell and Howells. Rowe is the most common form of Welsh Rowand, and is found as a patronymic surname in North Wales.

In the East Coast United States, the surname Rowand is sometimes seen spelled as Rewaland, Rawland, and also as Rowland.

These variants of the surname Rowand are still found today in the United States and worldwide.

Famous people with the name Rowand

• Aaron Rowand: former professional baseball player who spent 11 years in the MLB, playing for the White Sox, Phillies, Giants, and other teams.
• Cat Rowand: British singer-songwriter and actress, known for roles in the musicals Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You, and Hairspray, as well as roles in the television series Miranda and Hotel Babylon.
• Barry Rowand: former Canadian professional football player who spent 8 years playing in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
• Ray Rowand: former professional baseball player who spent 8 years in MLB playing for the White Sox, and later had a brief career in the Japanese Leagues.
• David Rowand: award-winning Australian television writer, known for his work on the long-running soap opera Neighbours, and other productions such as the miniseries The Pacific.
• Richard Rowand: British sculptor and silversmith, known for his intricate design work as well as public monuments such as the bust of Sir John Barrow in Westminster Cathedral.
• William Rowand: highly acclaimed American pianist and composer, known for his works which have been performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Matt Rowand: American professional golfer, who has played in PGA tournaments and Web.com tour events since the late 1990s.
• Robert Rowand: Scottish entrepreneur and founder of the popular British fashion brand Ted Baker.
• Scott Rowand: Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender, who spent parts of 4 seasons playing in the NHL.

Other surnames

RowanRowantree