Surname Rolleston - Meaning and Origin
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Rolleston: What does the surname Rolleston mean?
The last name Rolleston is of English origin and is derived from a place name. The place name is derived from the Old English 'ruh' meaning rough or hilly and 'tun' meaning enclosure or homestead. The earliest mentions of Rolleston are from the early 13th century and were of various families in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. In some cases, the surname may come from the French 'Rolland', suggesting the surname was derived from a Norman influence.
Overall, the surname is thought to be associated with a person from a town, hamlet, or farm near a scarp or rough slope, or could have been given as a nickname associated with personal characteristics. It could be given to someone who was seen as tenacious or bold by their peers, as such qualities are often associated with rough, steep slopes.
Rolleston is a fairly uncommon surname and even more so in the United States, where it is estimated that fewer than 1000 people have the surname. The most popular locations in England for people with the name are concentrated in Derbyshire and Staffordshire with a few other occurrences in areas such as Lincolnshire. A 2015 survey revealed that the surname was most commonly found in the United States in Texas, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, the City of London in the U.K., and Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisRolleston: Where does the name Rolleston come from?
The last name Rolleston is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the West Midlands region. This area of the country includes Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Wolverhampton. The last name can also be found in smaller numbers in other parts of the UK, such as Lancashire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire, as well as parts of Wales and Scotland.
The last name Rolleston is thought to have originated from a place name in the East Midlands of England, near Cambridge, originally known as Rollestone. This was likely derived from an Old English term, meaning the rolling stone. It is believed that this place was the home of the family prior to its name evolving into Rolleston. Various other similar surnames such as Rolingston, Rolliston, and Rolston can also be found in the same geographical area.
As time passed, the name has spread worldwide, with Rollsons now being found in Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and other countries around the world. Many have also changed the spelling of the name, which can be seen in records as Rollessone, Rollson, Rollison, Rollins, and more. The name is still fairly uncommon outside the UK and, even within the UK, certain areas tend to be more prevalent, with the West Midlands regions being most notable.
Variations of the surname Rolleston
The surname Rolleston (also often spelled Rawleston and Rolston) is a locational name of English origin, derived from any of three places in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The original place name was derived from the Old English "hrōg", meaning "hollow or hill", and the Old Norse "stað", meaning "site or place".
The surname is most commonly associated with the hamlet of Rolleston in South Nottinghamshire, which was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Roluestun". Variants of the spelling of the place name from medieval documents include Rollestune, Rawleston, Roluestone, Roulston, Rawlpston, and Rawlestone. These spellings eventually evolved into Rouleston, Roulston, and Rolston.
The other two Rollestons are located in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The Derbyshire place is situated near Sudbury and was first recorded in the Domesday Book as "Rauoluestune". Variations of the spelling of this place included Ralstun, Rawleston, Roulston, and Raluestone. The Staffordshire place is located near Uttoxeter and was first recorded in the 12th century as "Rouelestone". Variations of the spelling of this place included Rouelestun, Rouelstone, Rawleston, and Rolleston.
Rolleston is a relatively uncommon surname, with less than 400 individuals bearing this name documented in Great Britain in the mid 19th century. It is primarily found in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, with some of those families having immigrated to the US, Canada, and Australia. In the US, Rollesons are most commonly found in North Carolina and Virginia, though smaller populations are present in other states as well.
Famous people with the name Rolleston
- Sir William Fox Rolleston: the fifth Premier of New Zealand and a prominent physician.
- Sir Cornelius Rolleston: an Irish aristocrat, soldier, and Tory politician in the United Kingdom.
- Roderick Rolleston: a former Mayor of Westport, New Zealand.
- Joss Rolleston: the Dean of Auckland from 1967 to 1976.
- Conrad J. Rolleston: a British doctor and physiologist.
- Roland Rolleston: a British theatre actor and director.
- Robert Rolleston: a pioneering cinema operator in the early 20th century.
- Keith Rolleston: a British singer and actor.
- Sybil Rolleston: a British horsewoman, charmer, and traditionalist.
- Bruce Rolleston: a former professional footballer in England.