Roe is a short name of more than one root that became part of Irish family life.
Where does the Roe name come from?
Roe has more than one origin. As an English name it can be a nickname from the roe deer, for someone thought timid or swift, or a topographic name for someone who lived by a row of houses. In Ireland it very often comes from the Gaelic ruadh, “red,” an epithet for red-haired families that became a surname in its own right, sometimes as part of names like Mac Conroy. The strands meet under the single spelling Roe.
Roe in Ireland
The name became established in several parts of the country, both through settlement and through the Gaelic “red” epithet. As a name of mixed origin, Roe is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Rogers, Russell, and Barry.
Carry the Roe name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — woven blankets, ornaments, mugs and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Roe collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Roe an Irish surname?
Roe is found in Ireland both as an English name and, very often, from the Gaelic word ruadh, “red,” for red-haired families.
What does Roe mean?
It can come from the roe deer, from a row of houses, or from the Gaelic ruadh, “red.”
Is there a Roe family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Roe products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
