Roe Family Genealogy & History

Tommy Roe, born Thomas David Roe on May 9, 1942, is an iconic American rock and pop singer-songwriter known for his catchy bubblegum hits. His career highlights include chart-toppers like "Sheila" (1962), which reached number 1 in the U.S. and Australia, and "Dizzy" (1969), a transatlantic hit that topped charts in the U.S., UK, and Canada. Roe's distinct Southern accent and Buddy Holly-inspired style earned him widespread recognition in the 1960s, and he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1986. His contributions have also been honored by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Sir Thomas Roe (c. 1581 – 1644) was a prominent English diplomat of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, known for his roles as ambassador to the Mughal Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Holy Roman Empire. Roe's voyages extended from Central America to India, and he was pivotal in establishing diplomatic relations and trade agreements, notably securing protection for an East India Company factory at Surat. His contributions to cartography, through the influence of Somali navigator Maalim Ibrahim, and his scholarly pursuits, including donations to the Bodleian Library, underscore his lasting impact on diplomacy and learning.

Born in Low Leyton, Essex, Sir Thomas Roe was the son of Sir Robert Rowe of Gloucestershire and Cranford, Middlesex, and Elinor Jermy of Worstead, Norfolk. He married Eleanor, Lady Beeston, daughter of Sir Thomas Cave of Stanford-on-Avon, in 1614. The couple, who were childless, adopted Jane Rupa, an orphan introduced by Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia. Eleanor accompanied Roe on some diplomatic missions and was buried alongside him in Woodford, London.

Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon Roe, a pioneering English pilot and aircraft manufacturer, founded the Avro company in 1910. Known for being the first Englishman to fly an all-British machine, Roe's significant achievements include designing the Avroplane and the popular Avro 504 model. His dedication to aviation started with model aeroplanes and led to the establishment of A.V. Roe Aircraft Co. in Manchester. Roe's career highlights his contributions to the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force, making him a notable figure in aviation history.

Alliott Verdon Roe was born in Patricroft, Eccles, Lancashire, to Edwin Roe, a doctor, and Annie Verdon. He was the elder brother of Humphrey Verdon Roe, with whom he co-founded the A.V. Roe Aircraft Co.

John Septimus Roe, born on 8 May 1797, was a pivotal figure in Australian history, recognized as the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia and a distinguished explorer. His career spanned nearly 40 years, during which he played significant roles in Western Australia's legislative and executive councils. Notably, Roe participated in expeditions that extensively surveyed Australia's northern and north-western coasts, contributing considerably to the region's mapping and understanding. His work in the Royal Navy and subsequent surveying missions under Captain Phillip Parker King highlight his expertise in navigation and cartography.

John Septimus Roe was the seventh son of James Roe, the rector of Newbury, Berkshire. His early education at Christ's Hospital School in London set the foundation for his illustrious career in exploration and surveying.