Surname Roulston - Meaning and Origin

Roulston: What does the surname Roulston mean?

The last name Roulston (or Ralston, Rutherford, or Rolston) is a habitational surname originating from the towns of Rolston or Rawlston, which both derive from the Old English words hryð-weard (‘reed’) and tūn (‘enclosure’ or ‘settlement’). This type of name denotes an origin form a particular place, in this case from the towns of Rolston or Rawlston.

Variations on the name have also been found in Scotland after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In that case, the name was derived from a place called Roullé, in the area around Stirling. The clans in this area often carried the name Roulston or Ralston.

The name is generally believed to have meant ‘one who dwells at a famhouse by the reeds’; the reeds referred to often being tenancies or pastures. The earliest known record of the name was a Roulston from Basill (also known as Rouxelle, as it is today) in Normandy.

Roulston can also refer to a surname that has been Americanized from its original form. The Roulstons that settled in Virginia were actually of German descent, having emigrated to the United States in the 18th century. Various variants of the name can be found today across the world, from England to the United States.

Roulston: Where does the name Roulston come from?

The last name Roulston is most commonly associated with the United Kingdom. It is an Anglo-Irish name and there is a record of the Roulston family in Ireland since the nineteenth century.

In the UK, it is most commonly seen in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name itself is believed to be derived from the Old French term ‘roulant’, which means wheel. As such, some speculate that it is either a surname that refers to wheelwrights, or alternatively one that comes from a place name associated with a wheel-like feature such as a mill. Alternatively, other sources suggest that the name was a nickname for someone who was good at rolling or turning.

The name is still relatively common today, with census data showing that in the UK there are around 1,440 people who carry the Roulston name. Today, in Edinburgh, Scotland, there is a street named after the Roulston family. The name is also found as a first name in the form of Rylee, an English surname, and also in the form of Rolleston, an Old French surname.

Roulston is also known in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and in some European countries, such as France and the Netherlands. It’s an uncommon name, but one which still carries a certain sense of history and pride.

Variations of the surname Roulston

The surname Roulston is a variation of the word "Rolston." It can be spelled slightly differently, such as Roulstone, Rowlstone, Rowelston, and Rawlston. It is also spelled with spaces, such as Roul Ston or Rol Ston. It can also be seen with double last names, such as Roulston-Smith and Roulston-Jones.

Roulston is an Anglo-Irish name, which originated in England or Ireland as a local name derived from the place of residence of the original bearer. The placename is of Old French origin, and the surname itself is derived from the Old English word "rād" meaning "a clearing in the woods".

Variants of the surname Roulston include Roulton, Rollestone, Rowlestone, Rowlstoun, Rawlston, and Rolleston. Similarly, Rowelston is a variant of the word "Rolston", while Roul Eston, Rathleston and Grahlston are other variations.

Roulston is also a variant of other surnames such as Rolston, Raworson, and Roliston. Other variants include Roulston-Smith, Roulston-Jones, and Rowlston-Ward. The surnames Rolleston, Rawstone, Rowsellson, Rathlestone, Goulaystone, and Hawlstone are all variants of Roulston.

Finally, the Roulston surname is often anglicized to different spellings, such as Roulstan, Rolstan, Rowston, Roulson, and Rowlson. It is sometimes seen with a double last name, such as Roulston-Smith or Roulston-Jones.

Famous people with the name Roulston

• Adam Roulston: British film producer, actor and entertainer.
• Juliana Roulston: Canadian film and television actress.
• Kathleen Roulston: American actress and director.
• Robert Roulston: British actor and director.
• Sarah Roulston: American fictional character and drag queen.
• William Roulston: Northern Irish poet and playwright.
• Roger Roulston: Canadian actor and voice actor.
• James Roulston: American basketball player.
• Mandell Roulston: American artist and illustrator.
• Cameron Roulston: American football player.
• John Ward Roulston: American painter and printmaker.
• Ken Roulston: British golf course designer.
• Andrew Roulston: Australian actor, producer and musician.
• Tom Roulston: British writer, artist and cartoonist. 15.Dave Roulston: English singer, songwriter and performer.
• Jenny Roulston: Australian wildlife conservationist.
• Alex Roulston: British songwriter and guitarist.
• Caitlin Roulston: British actress and model.
• Ricky Roulston: American blues and jazz musician.
• Gareth Roulston: Northern Irish photographer and author.

Other surnames

Roulstone