Explore the Family Name Roosevelt
The meaning of Roosevelt
Dutch: habitational name, either from a farm named Rozenveld (there is one in Zeeland) or from one named Ruiseveld (there is one in Brabant). Rozenfeld could be a compound of Middle Dutch rose ‘wild rose’ (or ‘poppy’?) + velt ‘open country’, or, like Ruiseveld, of Middle Dutch rusch ‘rush, reed’ (roos- in field names) + velt, thus ‘open land growing with rushes’. If the source is Ruiseveld then Roosevelt is a variant of the Flemish surname Van Ruyssevelt, recorded as Roysevelt in 1646 and de Roosevelt in 1652. History: The two US presidents Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) and Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) and the latter’s wife Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) were all descended from a common ancestor, Claes Maertensz(en) van ‘t Rosevelt, who had settled in New Amsterdam in New Netherland (now New York City, NY) from the Netherlands in 1649. It is usually said that he was the son of Maertin Cornelissen Geldersman, who at about this time had bought the farm of Rozenveld (or Rosevelt) in Tholen, Zeeland, from Pieter Jorissen op het Rosevelt and his son Joris Pietersen. However, there is no proof of any kinship between the two men or that Claes came from Tholen. The family became prosperous with the growth of Manhattan. Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City; his mother was of Irish and Huguenot descent (see Delano). Franklin Delano Roosevelt was his 5th cousin.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Roosevelt in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Roosevelt has experienced slight changes in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 24,406th in popularity with a count of 961 individuals carrying it. By 2010, the rank slightly dropped to 24,822nd, but the total count increased by 4.37% to 1003 individuals. Consequently, the proportion per 100k people also decreased by -5.56%, shifting from 0.36 to 0.34.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #24,406 | #24,822 | -1.7% |
| Count | 961 | 1,003 | 4.37% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.36 | 0.34 | -5.56% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Roosevelt
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insights into the ethnic identity associated with the surname Roosevelt. In 2000 and 2010 respectively, individuals of White ethnicity predominantly carried this surname, with an increase from 64% to 65.9%. There was a notable increase in those identifying as Hispanic, rising from 1.66% to 3.49%. Meanwhile, the proportion of those identifying as Black decreased from 27.26% to 23.83%. The proportions for Asian/Pacific Islander and Two or more races saw minor changes. However, there was a decrease in the American Indian and Alaskan Native category, dropping from 3.43% to 2.99%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 64% | 65.9% | 2.97% |
| Black | 27.26% | 23.83% | -12.58% |
| Hispanic | 1.66% | 3.49% | 110.24% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 3.43% | 2.99% | -12.83% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.87% | 2.09% | 11.76% |
| Two or More Races | 1.77% | 1.69% | -4.52% |