Rowand
A variant of the surname Rowan, derived from the Gaelic name for the rowan tree.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 891 Americans carry the last name Rowand. That puts it at #30,139 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.26 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 384,685 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Rowand 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
891
1 in 384,685
Census rank
#30,139
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
778
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 778 bearers of the surname Rowand in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.26 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 30139th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Rowand, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.7%. The next largest groups are Black (2.8%) and Hispanic (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Rowand
The surname Rowand originated in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Scots word "rowan," which refers to the rowan tree or mountain ash. This tree was considered a symbol of protection and was often planted near houses to ward off evil spirits.
The name Rowand was initially concentrated in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the counties of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient charters and land grants from this region.
One notable early reference to the surname is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Several individuals with the surname Rowand are listed in these rolls, indicating their presence in Scotland at that time.
In the 15th century, a branch of the Rowand family settled in the village of Kilwinning, Ayrshire, and became prominent landowners in the area. Sir John Rowand of Kilwinning (c. 1450-1520) was a renowned knight and courtier during the reign of King James IV of Scotland.
Another notable figure from this era was Robert Rowand (c. 1460-1538), a Scottish cleric who served as the Bishop of Dunkeld from 1518 until his death. He played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation and was known for his efforts to promote education and literacy.
During the 17th century, the Rowand surname spread across Scotland, with families establishing themselves in various regions, including the Highlands and the Borders. One prominent individual from this period was Sir William Rowand (1613-1680), a Scottish lawyer and politician who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1677 to 1680.
As the centuries passed, the surname Rowand underwent various spelling variations, such as Rowane, Rowanne, and Rowan. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and pronunciation differences across Scotland.
Among the notable figures with the Rowand surname in more recent history was Sir Andrew Rowand (1828-1912), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Glasgow. He founded the Rowand Trust, which provided financial support for education and social welfare initiatives.
Despite its Scottish origins, the Rowand surname eventually spread beyond Scotland's borders, with families bearing this name settling in various parts of the world, including England, Ireland, and North America.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Rowand
Among Census respondents with the surname Rowand, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.7%. The next largest groups are Black (2.8%) and Hispanic (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Rowand 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 Rowand surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.7%
- Black or African American2.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
- Two or more races0.9%
- Unknown or suppressed0.9%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Rowand 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 | #30,229 | #30,139 | 0.3% |
| Count | 731 | 778 | 6.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.27 | 0.26 | -3.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Rowand bearers went from 731 to 778 (+6.4% change). The surname moved up 90 positions in the national ranking, going from #30,229 to #30,139.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Rowand
FAQ
Rowand surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Rowand?
The surname Rowand holds position #30,139 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 891 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.26 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Rowand surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Rowand, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.7%. The next largest groups are Black (2.8%) and Hispanic (1.7%). 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.