Rolan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland
Scotland

The Rolan surname comes from the Norman personal name Rol(l)an, which derives from the Germanic elements "hrod," meaning "renown," and "land," meaning "territory." Much of the Medieval popularity of this name was as a result of Roland (d. 778), a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who was defeated at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778. The Song of Roland thought to have been written between 1040 and 1115 is an epic poem based the battle.

Early Origins of the Rolan family

The surname Rolan was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, where a record in the Domesday Book of 1086 lists Rolland as being a landholder in Beeston (Bistone). 1

They were in neighboring Huntingdonshire from the early 12th century. The Domesday Book also lists Ralunt (Rowland) in Derbyshire.

One source states "A baptismal name as in 'the son of Roland.' Roland or Orlando was the nephew of the great Charles, who fell at Roncesvalles." 2 This latter reference is derived from The Miscellaneous Prose Works of Sir Walter Scott (Vol IV) and we shall now provide it in a more complete context. "No reader can have forgotten, that when the decisive battle of Hastings commenced, a Norman minstrel, Taillefer, advanced on horseback before the invading host and gave the signal for onset, by singing the 'Song of Roland,' that renowned nephew of Charlamagne, of whom the chivalry of Charles the Great in the pass of Roncesvalles, has given rise to such clouds of romantic fiction, that its very name has been for ever associated with it. The remarkable passage has been often quoted from the 'Brut of Wace,' an Anglo-Norman metrical chronicle. 'Taillefer, who sung both well and loud, Came mounted on a courser proud; Before the Duke the minstrel sprung. And loud of Charles and Roland sung, Of Oliver and champions mo, Who died at fatal Roncevaux.'"

Early History of the Rolan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rolan research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1218, 1221, 1303, 1327, 1500, 1551, 1555, 1565, 1569, 1586, 1599, 1601, 1602, 1606, 1616, 1620, 1621, 1637, 1655, 1660, 1711 and 1723 are included under the topic Early Rolan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rolan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rolland, Roland, Rowland, Rowlands, Rowlandson, Rolan and many more.

Early Notables of the Rolan family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Richard Rowlands alias Verstegen (fl. 1565-1620), an English antiquary, born in the parish of St. Catherine, near the Tower of London, was grandson of Theodore Roland Verstegen, of an ancient Dutch fa...

Migration of the Rolan family to Ireland

Some of the Rolan 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.

Rolan migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rolan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Wm. Rolan, aged 46, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Adam Rolan, aged 18, who landed in America, in 1896
John Rolan, aged 21, who landed in America from Carlaw, in 1899

Rolan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Bridget Rolan, aged 17, who immigrated to America, in 1902
John Rolan, aged 34, who settled in America from Ireland, in 1908
Sarah Rolan, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1920
Elisa D. Rolan, aged 29, who landed in America, in 1921
Felix Rolan, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1921

Rolan migration to Canada +