The name Ross is derived from the Gaelic word "ros," which means a promontory or headland. It is believed to have originated in Scotland, where it was used as a place name and later adopted as a personal name.

The name Ross has been in use since at least the 12th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists several individuals with the surname Ross who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

In the 16th century, Ross became a popular given name among Scottish families. One notable bearer of the name was Robert Ross (1590-1654), a Scottish minister and author who wrote several religious works.

Throughout history, the name Ross has been associated with various notable figures. One of the most famous was Sir John Ross (1777-1856), a British naval officer and explorer who led several expeditions to the Arctic. Another was Sir James Clark Ross (1800-1862), a British naval officer and explorer who discovered the Ross Sea and the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

In literature, the name Ross is perhaps most famously associated with the character of Ross Geller from the popular television sitcom "Friends." The character, played by actor David Schwimmer, was a paleontologist and one of the six main characters in the show.

Other notable individuals named Ross include Ross Perot (1930-2019), an American businessman and politician who ran for president in 1992 and 1996, and Ross Brawn (born 1954), a British motorsport engineer and former team principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team.

The name Ross has also been used in various works of fiction, including the character of Ross Poldark in the novels of Winston Graham and the subsequent television series of the same name.