Show ContentsRowans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Rowans family

The surname Rowans was first found in East Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they were a sept of the Ui Maine. The name is derived from the Irish and Gaelic Ruadhan (dh mute)-ruadh, which means red or red-haired. 1

The progenitor of the Rowans family is Felix O'Ruadháin, Archbishop of Tuam, an Irish prelate at the Lateran Council in Rome in 1215. 2

Early History of the Rowans family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rowans research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1564, 1751 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Rowans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rowans Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Roan, Rohan, Roohan, Ruane, Ruane, O Rouine, Rogan, O Rogan, Rowan and many more.

Early Notables of the Rowans family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rowans Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rowans family to Ireland

Some of the Rowans family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rowans family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Margaret Rown of Mountrath, Ireland, arrived at New York on June 1, 1816, aboard the Brig "Wilson"; James Rowan of Belfast, who arrived at Philadelphia on June 14 1816 aboard the Ship ".



The Rowans Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Cresco per crucem
Motto Translation: I increase by the cross


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)


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