The Rowland Family History

What Does the Rowland Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Rowland has its roots in Ireland, Scotland, and England, deriving from the Old Norse elements ‘ra’ and ‘lundr,’ which translate to a wooded grove and a distinguished parcel of land, respectively. Variants of the surname include Rolan, Rowlands, Roland, Rolland, and Rowlandson. In Irish, Rowland is rendered as O’Rothlian, while the French and German forms of the name are represented as Roland. In northern England, numerous families bearing the Rowland surname are situated in the counties of Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, and Cheshire. Significant populations of Rowland can also be found in London and the surrounding counties of Essex, Surrey, and Sussex. In Wales, the county of Glamorgan is home to many individuals with this surname. Scottish Rowland families trace their ancestry back to the Ayrshire region, from which the name subsequently spread to areas including Lanarkshire, Stirlingshire, Midlothian, East Lothian, Roxburghshire, Orkney Island, and Inverness-shire. In the United States, Rowland families established themselves in states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Connecticut, and Georgia. Noteworthy individuals associated with the Rowland surname encompass Bruce Rowland, an Australian music composer; Kelly Rowland, a versatile actress, model, dancer, and singer; Dennis Rowland, a vocalist; Rich Rowland, a professional baseball player; Gilbert Rowland, a celebrated Scottish harpsichordist; Laura John Rowland, an author; Rodney Rowland, an actor; Michael Rowland, a horse racing jockey; Jeff Rowland, a professional soccer player; and John A. Rowland, a 19th-century pioneer instrumental in the development of the California region of San Gabriel Valley, with Rowland Heights, CA, named in his honor.