Surname Rolland - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Unexpected: An iGENEA DNA Test Unravels Astonishing Insights into the Rolland Legacy

I have always attributed my French-sounding surname, Rolland, to a deeply-seated French legacy. My recent interactions with the iGENEA DNA test, however, have thrown up surprising revelations, shifting my perspective and transforming my understanding of my cultural identity. My surname Rolland carries a legacy that is evidently rich, complex, and intriguingly diverse.

E. Rolland

Rolland: What does the surname Rolland mean?

The surname Rolland is of Old German origin and it is derived from the personal name "Roland". The literal meaning of Rolland is "famous throughout the land" or "renowned in the land", composed of the elements "hrod", meaning "renown" and "landa", meaning "land". The name Roland was popularized across Europe in the Middle Ages due to the epic poem "The Song of Roland", which described the heroism of Charlemagne's nephew Roland at the Battle of Roncesvalles. In the Greek language, the name is said to mean "from the famous land". The Latin form of the name "Rolandus" was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. There are several spelling variations of this name, including Rowland, Rollin, Rolin, and others. This name is found in both England and France and it's believed to have spread through European countries due to its usage in medieval literature. As a surname, it could have been used as a nickname or as an identifier for someone who lived in a place called Roland or Rolland.

Rolland: Where does the name Rolland come from?

Rolland is a surname of French origin that is common today in parts of Europe and North and South America. It is particularly prevalent in France, where it is the 37th most common surname in the country, according to geographic distribution figures. The name is also common in Belgium, Switzerland, Jamaica, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Rolland is particularly common in French-speaking areas, especially in France, Belgium and Switzerland, where it is derived from the Old French given name Roland. This name became particularly popular in France during the time of the Crusades, and it was first recorded in the Languedoc region, in south France, in the 12th century.

In some Spanish-speaking countries, Rolland is a variant of Rolando, which is the Spanish form of Roland. This name is derived from an Old Germanic element meaning 'renowned' combined with land, meaning 'land'. It was popularized in medieval folklore, in which Roland was the chief paladin of Charlemagne's court, and is featured in literary works such as The Song of Roland (c. 1100).

Rolland is also common in the United States, where it is derived from French Canadian settlers in the 17th to 19th centuries. The name was first recorded in the United States in 1790 by a Jean Rolland, who migrated from Quebec to what is now northeastern Maine. It is particularly common in states with large French Canadian populations, such as Louisiana, Maine, and Massachusetts.

In addition to being the 37th most common surname in France, Rolland is also the 76th most common surname in the United States, according to U.S. Census figures. As such, it is today a multi-cultural surname that is common in a number of countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Rolland

The surname Rolland can exist in many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include the surnames Rollins, Rolands, Rolandson, Rolandelli, Rolando, Rolandsen, Rollet, Rollandson, Rollinson, Rollin, Rollandini, Rolletts, Rollans, Rollstone, Rollan, Roleana, Rollison, Rollino, Rollansson, Roelandts, Roelle, Roell and Roelfs.

Rolland is a French surname of patronymic origin, derived from Rolland which is a diminutive of the name Rodulf. Rodulf is made up of two words: the Germanic element hrod ("renown") and wulf ("wolf"). It can be interpreted as "renowned wolf" and has its roots in the ancient Germanic language. It is thought to be an occupational name since, in the Middle Ages, a person could be called after an animal if he was skilled enough at hunting or taming it.

Variations of the surname Rolland can be found in many countries including France, Germany, and England. Common spellings include Roeland, Rolands and Rollandsen. In Sweden, the Rolland surname is spelt Rollanson and in Spain, it is Rolando.

The spelling and form of the surname Rolland can have regional variations. It can often change over time and with different generations. For example, in Italy it is Rollandini or Rolandelli, in Denmark Rollandsen or Roell and in Scotland it is Rollstone or Roleana.

Famous people with the name Rolland

• Romain Rolland: French poet and dramatist, Nobel Prize winner and active supporter of the pacifist movement during World War I (1866-1944).
• Zach Rolland: American Electronic Dance Music (EDM) producer and DJ, known as part of the duo Showtek (b. 1988).
• Jean Rolland: Canadian ice dancer and two-time national champion (b. 1991).
• Steve Rolland: French Olympic ice hockey player (b. 1982).
• Florent Rolland: French film actor, known for his roles in A Little Game (2018) and Les Grands (2013) (b. 1989).
• Rock Rolland: French poet and novelist, as well as a scholar of French literature (1836-1907).
• Guillaume Rolland: French football player who currently plays for Valenciennes FC (b. 2003).
• May Rolland: Ribbon synchronized swimmer and four-time French National champion (b. 1994).
• Pierre Rolland: French professional road bicycle racer who has competed for two teams since 2011 (b. 1984).
• Lauriane Rolland: French model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss France 2020 (b. 2000).

Other surnames

Rollant