Roe

Surname Origins:

'Roe' is an Anglo-Saxon surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'ra', meaning 'roe deer', and used to refer to someone who lived in an area populated by roe deer or someone who hunted them. The roe deer is a small and graceful species endemic to the British Isles.

History and Distribution:

The surname 'Roe' is widely found in England, particularly in counties such as Kent, Essex, and Sussex. It can also be found in Scotland and Ireland, though less commonly. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the medieval period.

Famous Individuals:

  • Francis Roe: A British zoologist known for his research on wildlife conservation.
  • Jane Roe: A fictional character in Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.
  • Thomas Roe: An English diplomat who served as ambassador to the Mughal Empire in the early 17th century.

Coat of Arms:

The Roe family crest typically features a shield with symbols associated with hunting, such as roe deer or hunting tools.

Current Use:

The surname 'Roe' continues to be passed down through generations and remains a common family name in the UK. Individuals bearing this surname can be found in various professions and walks of life, contributing to the rich tapestry of British society.

There are approximately 11,538 people named Roe in the UK. That makes it the 797th most common surname in Britain. Around 177 in a million people in Britain are named Roe.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Stephen

Female

  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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