Last Name Roe

The surname Roe is of Old English origin. It is derived from a variety of sources, with the most common being a topographical name for someone who lived by a marsh or swamp, as "ro(e)" means "marsh" or "meadow" in Old English. Another possible origin is from a nickname for a red-haired person, as "roe" also means "red" in Middle English. The surname Roe can also be found in Scottish Gaelic and Irish, where it was often anglicized from the Gaelic O'Ruadh or Mac Ruaidh, meaning "son of the red one."

Learn more about the origin of the last name Roe

The meaning and origin of the last name Roe

The surname Roe is an Old English and Scottish name, derived from various sources. In some cases, it originated as a topographic name for someone who lived by a marshy area or wetland, as "rœ" is the Old English word for a marsh or bog. Alternatively, the name could have been a nickname for a red-haired person, as "rœ" also means 'red' in Old Norse. In Scotland, Roe can also be a variant of the Gaelic Mac Ruaidhri, meaning 'son of Ruairidh', which is derived from 'ruadh', meaning 'red'. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, with variations such as Ro, Row, Rowe, and Raye also found.

Geographical distribution of the last name Roe

The last name Roe is widely distributed across several countries due to various historical and migration factors. It is most prevalent in English-speaking regions such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with significant concentrations also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to immigration during colonial times and the Industrial Revolution. The name can also be found in other European countries like Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavian nations, where it may have originated as a result of Anglo-Norman influence or as an adopted surname by native populations. In recent times, people with the surname Roe can be found in various parts of the world due to global mobility and migration patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Roe

The surname Roe has several variations and spelling forms across different regions and time periods. Some common variants include Roee, Roeh, Roh, and Ruoh, which are primarily found among Hebrew or Scandinavian individuals. These variations may result from regional dialects, transcription errors, or even family surname alterations over generations. In English-speaking countries, the most frequent forms of the name include Ro, Roa, Roehler, Rohr, and Ryder, which might have originated as nicknames or occupational names (such as reed cutter or red-haired). The variations highlight the diversity in surnames that stem from the original last name Roe.

Famous people with the last name Roe

Notable individuals with the surname Roe include Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, both retired U.S. Supreme Court Justices. O'Connor served from 1981 to 2006, becoming the first woman ever appointed to the court. Ginsburg, who joined the court in 1993, is also known as the Notorious RBG for her strong dissents and advocacy for gender equality. Additionally, Betty Friedan, a pioneering feminist and author, was born under the name Bettye Naomi Goldstein before changing her last name to Roe. Another significant figure is Grace Murray Hopper, a U.S. Navy rear admiral and computer scientist who invented the first linker for compilers and popularized the term "debugging."

Genealogical research on the last name Roe

The surname Roe is of Old Norse origin, derived from the personal name Roar or Roer, which meant 'famous' or 'renowned'. It was initially brought to England by Viking settlers during the Medieval period and later Anglicized as Roe.

One notable figure with this surname is Thomas Roe (1587-1678), an English diplomat who served in various capacities for King Charles I, notably as his ambassador to India during the 17th century. Another significant person bearing the name is Mary Roe, a plaintiff in a landmark legal case, Roe v. Wade (1973), which established the constitutional right to abortion in the United States.

Throughout history, the surname Roe has also been prevalent in Scotland and Ireland, with many branches and variations such as Roebuck, Roach, Row, and Roos emerging due to regional dialects, spelling variations, and Norman influence. Today, Roe remains a common name across English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Roe"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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