This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Rose.' Latin rosa, a rose. Very popular at the period surnames were becoming hereditary; hence strongly represented in all our directories.

Thomas fil. Rose, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Richard fil. Rose, Nottinghamshire, ibid.

Adam Costenoght et Rosa uxor ejus, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Rose, 1379: ibid.

Rosa Held, 1379: ibid.

Or, again from the same period: Johanna Rose-doghter, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Isabella filia Rose, 1379: ibid.

Rosa de Berlowe, 1379: ibid.

(2) Local, 'of the rose,' i.e. at the rose-tree, or at the sign of the Rose.

John de la Rose, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Robert de la Rose, Oxfordshire ibid.

Elena de la Ros, Oxfordshire, ibid.

The family of Rose of Kilravock are believed to be a branch of de Ross, which see. They did not blossom into a great clan but have kept well to the old acres, and show a remarkably unbroken pedigree, every link being proved by documentary evidence in A Genealogical deduction of the family of Rose of Kilravock, 1848. The tradition in Clan Donald (I, p. 101) that the family are descended from one of the Irish O'Cathans is worthless. Muriel de Roys granted a charter, 1333 (Rose, p. 116), and William Rose was a charter witness in inverness, c. 1360 (Grant, III, p. 12). Andrew de Rose was perpetual vicar of Innerafferayn in the diocese of Ross, 1440 (Pop. Lett., IX, p. 445).

This common and very beautiful name is somewhat difficult to account for. I am inclined to think that it is often a substitution for Ross. The rose, it is true, has in all ages been regarded as the "Queen of Flowers," and as such has ever been associated with poetry and symbolism; but how it became a surname, I can only conjecture, that it was from the device of the original bearer, whether that was displayed upon the patrician banner, or upon the ignoble sign-post. Salverte mentions a noble family of Poland, in the twelfth century, who are known to have adopted their surname of Rose from the charge of their shield; and he adduces other instances of a similar practice. Essai, i. 240, &c. The Roses of Nairnshire, settled there from temp. Alexander III., originally wrote themselves De Boos. Hugh Rose of Geddes, by marriage with the heiress of Byset, acquired the lands of Kilravock, and had a crown charter of the barony from King John Baliol. "From that period the estate has descended lineally to the present proprietor." B.L.G.

From some place of the name, perhaps from Rose in Perranzabuloe; from rose, rosh, a valley between hills; or from ros, a mountain meadow, common, moss. Hence the names Ress, Roose, Ros, Ross, Rosse, Rous, Rouse, Rowse, Ruse, Rush.

Rose.—This name has at least two centres: one in the south in Dorset, Oxfordshire, and Wilts, the other in the northern midlands in Notts. It was common in Oxfordshire as far back as the 13th century (Hundred Rolls).