Roskam
A surname of Dutch origin referring to someone who lived near bushes or brambles.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 514 Americans carry the last name Roskam. That puts it at #48,256 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.15 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 666,837 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Roskam surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
514
1 in 666,837
Census rank
#48,256
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
438
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 438 bearers of the surname Roskam in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 48256th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Roskam, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.5%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Roskam
The surname Roskam has its origins in the Netherlands, with records dating back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Dutch word "ros," meaning a horse or reddish-brown color, combined with "kam," which refers to a comb or ridge. This suggests the name may have originated from a particular geographic area characterized by a distinctive reddish-brown ridge or hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Roskam surname can be found in the Dutch baptismal records from the city of Leiden in 1598, where a certain Pieter Roskam is mentioned. Additionally, the name appears in various municipal records from the Dutch provinces of South Holland and Zeeland during the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the 19th century, the Roskam surname gained more prominence with the birth of Cornelis Roskam (1829-1904), a notable Dutch politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Netherlands. Another individual of significance was Johannes Roskam (1870-1945), a Dutch poet and writer known for his contributions to the literary scene of that era.
The Roskam name also found its way to other parts of Europe and beyond, with records indicating individuals bearing this surname in Germany, Belgium, and even as far as the United States. For instance, in the late 19th century, a certain William Roskam (1861-1938) was a successful businessman and real estate developer in Chicago, Illinois.
Another notable figure was Maarten Roskam (1915-1998), a renowned Dutch architect and urban planner who played a significant role in the reconstruction and redesign of several cities in the Netherlands after World War II. His works have left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of the country.
Throughout history, the Roskam surname has been associated with various professions, from politicians and writers to businessmen and architects, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bear this name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Roskam
Among Census respondents with the surname Roskam, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.5%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Roskam bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Roskam surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.5%
- Unknown or suppressed1.4%
- Two or more races1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Roskam surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #49,057 | #48,256 | 1.6% |
| Count | 403 | 438 | 8.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Roskam bearers went from 403 to 438 (+8.7% change). The surname moved up 801 positions in the national ranking, going from #49,057 to #48,256.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Roskam
FAQ
Roskam surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Roskam?
The surname Roskam holds position #48,256 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 514 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Roskam surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Roskam, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.5%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.