ROOTS

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Roots

Roots is a British surname derived from the Old English word "wrot" or "wyrt," meaning "root" or "herb." The surname is topographical in nature, often indicating that the original bearer lived near an area with prominent roots or herbs, or worked as a herbalist.

The first recorded instance of the Roots surname dates back to the medieval period in England. Over time, the surname has proliferated across the country, with variations such as Root, Rute, and Routz also observed.

Notable individuals bearing the Roots surname include individuals from various fields such as academics, arts, and literature. The Roots family has made contributions to British society that have left a lasting impact on the nation's cultural heritage.

Today, the Roots surname continues to be prevalent in Britain, demonstrating the enduring legacy and significance of this ancient and distinguished family name.

There are approximately 1,288 people named Roots in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,058th most common surname in Britain. Around 20 in a million people in Britain are named Roots.

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
Anthony
Christopher
David
John
Martin
Michael
Paul
Philip
Simon
Stephen

Female

Anne
Christine
Deborah
Frances
Helen
Hilary
Lisa
Margaret
Pamela
Patricia
Sarah
Sharon
Susan

Similar and related surnames

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