Townsman on the river? (4)

I believe the answer is:

ross

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'townsman on the river?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

This is all the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ross that I've seen before include "-- Dependency; -- Sea" , "Wye town; Antarctic sea" , "Macbeth thane; a T. E. Lawrence pseudonym" , "- and Cromarty, former Scottish county" , "Diana --, Motown singer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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