Roxburgh
A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to the royal burgh or town of Roxburgh.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Roxburgh. That puts it at #64,559 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Roxburgh 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
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#64,559
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
308
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 308 bearers of the surname Roxburgh in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 64559th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Roxburgh, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (7.8%) and Black (4.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Roxburgh
The surname Roxburgh is of Scottish origin, derived from the name of the former county of Roxburghshire, located in the Scottish Borders region. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English words "hrok" or "hroc," meaning a rook, and "burgh," meaning a fortified town or borough. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a settlement known for its rook population.
The name Roxburgh can be traced back to the 12th century, with references found in various historical records. One notable mention is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England after his invasion of Scotland. Several Roxburghs are listed in this document, indicating the name's presence during that period.
In the 14th century, the Roxburghs played a significant role in Scottish history. Sir James Roxburgh (c. 1320-1390) was a prominent military leader who fought alongside King David II at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. He later served as the Keeper of Roxburgh Castle, which was a strategic stronghold in the Scottish-English border conflicts.
Another notable figure was Sir John Roxburgh (c. 1380-1450), a Scottish diplomat and ambassador who represented the Kingdom of Scotland in various negotiations with England and France. He was also appointed as the Lord Chamberlain of Scotland during the reign of King James I.
In the 16th century, the name Roxburgh appeared in the records of the Scottish Reformation. John Roxburgh (c. 1520-1580) was a Protestant reformer and one of the first ministers of the reformed Church of Scotland. He played a crucial role in establishing the Presbyterian system of church government in Scotland.
The 18th century saw the rise of James Roxburgh (1740-1808), a Scottish botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life. He served as the superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden in India and is credited with introducing numerous plant species to the region.
Throughout history, variations of the name have been recorded, such as Roxburghe, Roxborough, and Roxboro. These variations often reflect regional spellings or adaptations of the original name. Additionally, the name Roxburgh has been associated with various place names, including Roxburghshire, the town of Roxburgh, and Roxburgh Castle.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Roxburgh
Among Census respondents with the surname Roxburgh, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (7.8%) and Black (4.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Roxburgh 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 Roxburgh surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White80.8%
- Two or more races7.8%
- Black or African American4.2%
- Hispanic or Latino4.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.9%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Roxburgh 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 | #61,544 | #64,559 | -4.9% |
| Count | 305 | 308 | 1.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.10 | -9.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Roxburgh bearers went from 305 to 308 (+1.0% change). The surname moved down 3,015 positions in the national ranking, going from #61,544 to #64,559.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Roxburgh
FAQ
Roxburgh surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Roxburgh?
The surname Roxburgh holds position #64,559 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Roxburgh surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Roxburgh, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.8%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (7.8%) and Black (4.2%). 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.