Rowley Coat of Arms Record & History

The surname Rowley is a locational name that originated in England, derived from the Old English words "ruh," meaning rough, and "leah," meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name lived near a rugged or uncultivated patch of forest land. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Rowley family were active in this region during a time of significant social and religious change in Northern England. As residents of a major northern hub, these early ancestors likely participated in the local trade and civic life that defined York during the Stuart period. The name reflects a deep connection to the English landscape, marking the family as descendants of those who cleared and settled the wilder parts of the countryside long before moving into the city.

The Rowley family name arrived in Ireland during the seventeenth century as part of the large-scale movement of settlers from England. While the name itself has deep roots in the English landscape, its Irish history is firmly anchored in the Plantation of Ulster. By 1634, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in County Londonderry. These early settlers were often involved in the administration and development of the region, as the Crown encouraged families to manage land and establish trade networks in the north of Ireland. Over the following decades, the Rowleys became integrated into the local social and political fabric of the area, transitioning from newcomers to prominent figures within the county. Their presence in Londonderry during this formative period reflects the broader patterns of migration and land settlement that defined the early modern history of Ulster.