Roulston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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The ancient Pictish-Scottish family that first used the name Roulston lived in the lands or barony of Ralston, which are near Paisley in the county of Renfrew (now part of the Strathclyde region).

Early Origins of the Roulston family

The surname Roulston was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland, at Ralston, (Gaelic: Baile Raghnaill) a small suburban settlement bordering onto the eastern edge of the town of Paisley. It is generally believed the place name Ralston takes its name from the ancient feudal estates of Ralphistoun (Ralph's town), named after the younger son of the Earl of Fife, and dates back to the early 12th century.

Later and further to the south, Rowlston was a hamlet in the parish of Mappleton, union of Skirlaugh, N. division of the wapentake of Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "This place, in Domesday Book called Roolfestone, belonged in the 15th century to a family of the local name, and, after passing through several other families." 1 This hamlet is now been formally amalgamated into the village and civil parish of Mappleton. Rowlstone is a parish and village in Herefordshire.

Early History of the Roulston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roulston research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1447, 1448, 1452, 1705 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Roulston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roulston Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Roulston has been spelled Ralston, Ralstoun, Rowlston, Rowlstone and others.

Early Notables of the Roulston family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Roulston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Roulston family to Ireland

Some of the Roulston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roulston migration to the United States +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Roulston:

Roulston Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Tho Roulston, who arrived in Virginia in 1662 2

Roulston Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Roulston, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 2

Roulston Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Harvey Roulston, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 2
James Roulston, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 2
Martha Roulston, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 2
Andrew Roulston, who landed in New York in 1837 2
Montgomery Roulston, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1841 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roulston migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Roulston Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Margaret Roulston, aged 21, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waimea" in 1876
Isabella Roulston, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waimea" in 1876
Mr. David Roulston, (b. 1857), aged 22, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Stad Haarlem" arriving in Lyttleton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1879 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Roulston (post 1700) +

George Roulston, American politician, Postmaster at Knoxville, Tennessee, 1794-97 4
Mrs. Patricia Morven Roulston B.E.M., British Police Service of Northern Ireland was appointed the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to Policing
Mrs. Mary Roulston M.B.E., British former Principal for Millennium Integrated Primary School, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Education 5
Mrs. Marie Roulston O.B.E., British Executive Director for Social Work at Northern Health and Social Care Trust, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Healthcare and to Young People 5
Orville William "Rolly" Roulston (1911-1983), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey defenceman from Toronto
Thomas Roulston (b. 1957), Canadian former professional NHL ice hockey right winger from Winnipeg
Hayden Roulston MNZM (b. 1981), New Zealand professional racing cyclist

The Roulston Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fide et marte
Motto Translation: By fidelity and military service.