Rylant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Rylant is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rylant family lived in Lincolnshire at Ryland, a hamlet, in the parish of Welton, wapentake of Lawress, parts of Lindsey. 1

This name is a topographical reference to land owned by the Rye family in this county. Rye is also topographical and indicates that the original bearer of the name lived near to a field of rye, and was distinguished by this proximity.

Mr. J. Paul Rylands, F.S.A., says the name 'Ryelands is derived from the Anglo-Saxon rye or rhee, a water-course or stream, and lands, the lands adjoining or above the stream.'

Early Origins of the Rylant family

The surname Rylant was first found in Lancashire where Robert del Ruylondes, of West Halghton was recorded 1 Edward III. The same source notes William de Rylondes, of Halghton, 6 Edward III and Nicholas del Rylondes, 1436. 2

Another source notes Stephen de Riland in c. 1232-1245 and John de Rylaundes in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1281. Later in Cheshire, Thomas de Rilond was listed in the Assize Rolls c. 1296. 3

Early History of the Rylant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rylant research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1723, 1753, 1759, 1760, 1767, 1769, 1771, 1781, 1782, 1786, 1792, 1822, 1825 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Rylant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rylant Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Rylant include Ryland, Roylance, Rylander, Rilands, Rylands and others.

Early Notables of the Rylant family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Collett Ryland (1723-1792), English divine, son of Joseph Ryland, a farmer and grazier of Lower Ditchford, Gloucestershire, and grandson of John Ryland, yeoman, of Hinton-on-the-Green, Gloucestershire, born at Bourton-on-the-Water in the same county on 12 Oct. 1723. In October 1759 Ryland left Warwick for Northampton, where he lived twenty-six years as minister and schoolmaster, his pupils often numbering as many as ninety. Ryland died at Enfield on 24 July 1792, and was buried at Northampton, his funeral sermon (two editions, 1792) being preached by Dr. John Rippon. 4John Ryland (1753-1825), Baptist minister...
Another 221 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rylant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rylant family to Ireland

Some of the Rylant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rylant family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Rylants to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Ryland, who settled in Virginia in 1650; Thomas Ryland settled in Maryland in 1684; William Ryland settled in Maryland in 1731; John Ryland settled in Philadelphia in 1774. Octavius Ryland (c.1800-1886) was an English convict transported to Western Australia, arriving at Fremantle on board the ".

Contemporary Notables of the name Rylant (post 1700) +

Cynthia Rylant (b. 1954), American author and librarian from Hopewell, West Virginia who has written more than 100 children's books, including works of fiction (picture books, short stories and novels), nonfiction, and poetry, recipient of the 1993 Newbery Medal and a 1987 Newbery Honor book

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print