Find out how popular the last name Rosby is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Rosby.

Rosby, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Rosby surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rosby in America

Rosby is the 89753rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rosby surname appeared 206 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Rosby.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rosby to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Rosby

The surname Rosby is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period, specifically the 11th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "ros" and "by," meaning "a place near a rose bush or a rose meadow." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname lived in an area abundant with wild roses.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rosby can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a individual named Rodbert de Rosby, who held lands in the county of Lincolnshire.

Throughout the centuries, the name has appeared in various historical records and documents, sometimes with slight variations in spelling, such as Rosebury, Rosbury, and Roseby. These variations likely emerged due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spellings common in earlier eras.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Rosby include Sir Thomas Rosby, a prominent English landowner and member of Parliament in the 15th century. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses, serving as a loyal supporter of the House of Lancaster.

Another noteworthy figure was John Rosby, born in 1612, who was a renowned scholar and theologian at the University of Oxford. His writings on religious philosophy and ethics were highly regarded during his time.

In the 18th century, the Rosby family established themselves as successful merchants and traders in the city of Bristol. One member, William Rosby (1724-1798), was a prominent figure in the city's mercantile community and served as a alderman for several years.

The 19th century saw the rise of Peter Rosby (1832-1901), a renowned architect whose works can be found throughout England, particularly in the cities of London and Manchester. His designs were heavily influenced by the Gothic Revival style and contributed significantly to the architectural landscape of Victorian England.

Another individual of note was Emily Rosby (1865-1938), a pioneering educator who founded one of the first schools for girls in the city of Liverpool. Her efforts paved the way for greater educational opportunities for women in the region.

While the surname Rosby may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and origins can be traced back to the early days of English settlement, reflecting the diverse tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped the country's toponymic landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rosby

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Rosby.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rosby was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Rosby has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Rosby was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rosby, please contact us.

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