Ross Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Ross surname: its meaning, its roots in Scotland, and its heraldry.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Ross coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Ross name
Ross is a Scottish habitational surname from the district of Ross in the northern Highlands, from Gaelic ros, "promontory, headland". The Earls of Ross made the name prominent. It can also be English topographic from Middle English roose, "heath", or a nickname from French ros, "red". It is common in Scotland and abroad.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Ross name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Ross name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Ross family history
The researched Ross pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Ross coat of arms.
Ross name FAQ
What does the Ross name mean?
Promontory; heath; red. Common variants include Ros, Rosse, Rous.
Where does the Ross surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Ross coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Ross crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Ross coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).