Ross
Language: English
Part of speech: name
Pronunciation: ipa: /ɹɔs/
ipa: /ɹɑs/
ipa: /ɹɒs/
rhymes: -ɒs
Forms: form: Rosses
form: Rosse
Etymology: * As a Scottish surname, from several places such as Roose in Cumbria or Roos in Yorkshire, both from Scottish Gaelic ros (“promontory”) or a Brythonic parallel of its source such as Welsh rhos (“moor, heath”). There were also several Norman families in Scotland who took their name from Rots in Calvados. Compare Rose, Rhodes.
* As an English surname, from Wrose in Shipley, with loss of initial w.
* As an English and German surname, from derivatives of the old Germanic root common in names *hrōþi (“fame”). Compare Rossell.
* As a Cornish surname, from several places in Cornwall deriving from ros (“heathland”), related to the above Celtic word meaning "heath" or "promontory." See Rouse.
* As a Jewish and German occupational surname for a breeder of horses, from the regional/poetic noun Ross (“horse”). Doublet of horse.
* Also as a Jewish surname, Americanized from Rose.
Senses: glosses: An English and Scottish habitational surname from Scottish Gaelic derived from any of several places of that name, from Scottish Gaelic ros (“headland”).
examples: text: In addition to many other things he has promised to do on his first day in office, Donald Trump has said he will free Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who is serving a life sentence in federal prison for connecting drug consumers with drug sellers.
ref: 2025 January 20, Jacob Sullum, “Why Trump Should Keep His Promise To Free Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht”, in Reason:
glosses: A male given name transferred from the surname, of early 19th century and later usage.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
An unincorporated community in Pope County, Arkansas.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
A town in Marin County, California.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
An unincorporated community in Calumet Township, Lake County, Indiana.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
An unincorporated community in Audubon County, Iowa.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
An unincorporated community in Dieter Township, Roseau County, Minnesota.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
A minor city in Mountrail County, North Dakota.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
A township and census-designated place therein, in Butler County, Ohio.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
A minor city in McLennan County, Texas.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
A town in Forest County, Wisconsin.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
An unincorporated community in the town of Liberty, Vernon County, Wisconsin.
glosses: A number of places in the United States:
A number of other townships in the United States, listed under Ross Township.
glosses: A hamlet in Middleton parish, Northumberland, England (OS grid ref NU1336).
glosses: A coastal hamlet south of Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NX6444).
glosses: A coastal locality near Burnmouth, Scottish Borders council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NT9660).
glosses: A village in Northern Midlands council area, Tasmania, Australia.
glosses: A small town in the West Coast region, South Island, New Zealand.
Related terms: Easter Ross
New Ross
Ross and Cromarty
Ross County
Ross Dependency
Ross Island
Ross-on-Wye
Ross Sea
Ross-shire
South Ross
Wester Ross