Surname Rowland - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of My Ancestry Through the iGENEA DNA Test: A New Chapter for the Rowland Lineage

My iGENEA DNA test sparked a journey of self-discovery and interpretation of my surname, Rowland, in a refreshing light. It revealed an unexpected lineage that went beyond the borders of Wales, challenged my perception about my surname, and redefined my family's identity. These findings have inspired respect for my culturally diverse family background and resolution to investigate further into our rich ancestry.

Y. Rowland

Rowland: What does the surname Rowland mean?

The surname Rowland is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old Germanic personal name 'Hrodwulf', which is composed of the elements "hrod", meaning renown, and "wulf", meaning wolf. As a personal name, it was introduced to England by the Normans in the form 'Rou(l) or Rolf'. In the Middle Ages, it became a very popular name due to the fame of Charlemagne's nephew Roland, the hero of the French epic poem Chanson de Roland, which tells the story of the Battle of Roncevaux in 778 A.D. This led to its widespread use and its evolution into a surname. Therefore, the surname Rowland translates to 'famous wolf' and potentially denotes a person who is as renowned or as fierce as a wolf. In the modern era, the surname is found in many different forms including Rowland, Rolant, Rolance, Rawlin, Rawline, and others.

Rowland: Where does the name Rowland come from?

The last name Rowland is commonly found in several countries around the world today. Across Europe, Rowlands are most often concentrated in English-speaking nations, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other countries of the British Isles. In the United States, Rowland is found in all states, with greatest concentration in the Southeast and Midwest. The highest populations of Rowlands in the U.S. are in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Alabama.

In addition, Rowlands are scattered across the globe, from South America to Australia. It is a particularly common surname in Canada, with clusters in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. In Australia, there is a relatively high prevalence of the last name in the areas of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

The last name Rowland has an anglo-saxon origin. It can be traced back to the Norse name, “Hrothwulf,” which means a valiant wolf or brave wolf. Over the centuries, the name has taken on many forms, such as Rolle, Rouland, Rolland, and Rowland. The spelling variations further demonstrate the diversity and prevalence of the last name Rowland across the world today.

Variations of the surname Rowland

The surname Rowland is believed to have originated from a number of different locations. It is most commonly thought to come from an Old French location name originally spelled Rouland. This is a placename used to refer to the region around Rouen in northern France.

This name had many different variants and spellings throughout its history. These include Rouland, Ruland, Roulant, Rolland, Rollan, Rowlan, Rowling, and Rolande. The English also had their own versions of the name, including Rowland, Rowlins, Rolands, Rowlands, Rowlett, and Rollinson.

The Scottish also adopted Rowland, using the spellings Rolsten, Rollins, and Roulence. Meanwhile, the Welsh version of the name was Rolant or Rolonly, while the Irish adopted Rollan, Rollin, or Roulant for their lineage.

Over time, many of these variations of the surname have merged into a single form. Today, the most common spelling of the surname is the English version Rowland. Therefore, all spellings and variants of the surnameRowland can be traced back to the same origins.

Famous people with the name Rowland

• Kelly Rowland: American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality.
• John Rowland: American politician and Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004.
• Paul Rowland: American model, represented by Ford Models and VNY Model Management.
• Malcolm Rowland: English actor.
• David Rowland: American philanthropist and former CEO of Fidelity Investments.
• Cassandra Rowland: American singer-songwriter and producer.
• Jack Rowland: American professional baseball player from 1961 to 1964.
• Johnathan Rowland: American entrepreneur and chief executive officer of Rowland Enterprises, LLC.
• Edgar Rowland: American baseball coach and writer.
• André M. Rowland: American writer and professor of genetics.
• Michael Rowland: Australian journalist and television presenter.
• William Rowland: American politician and Maryland state senator from 1975 to 1979.
• Frank Rowland: American chemist and 1985 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry.
• April Rowland: American film and television actress.
• Stephanie Rowland: American personal trainer and fitness expert.
• Joe Rowland: American news anchor and reporter for WSAV-TV.
• Alan Rowland: American sportcaster and radio play-by-play announcer.
• Mark Rowland: British professional race walker.
• Frank Rowland Davis: American painter.
• Charles E. Rowland: American politician and Indiana state senator from 1973 to 1977.

Other surnames

Rowlands