Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Roland

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Famous land

      Variations

      Rolando, Noland, Ryland
      The name Roland, deriving from Old English, holds the meaning of Famous land. Its ancient roots trace back to early medieval times and have become emblematic in history and literature. Roland was a renowned figure in French epic poetry. In the iconic medieval poem The Song of Roland, he is depicted as a chivalrous and loyal knight.

      Roland's significance in history lies in his association with the Emperor Charlemagne, who ruled during the 8th and 9th centuries. As Charlemagne's most valiant paladin, Roland was hailed for his bravery and integrity. His exploits were so celebrated that his name became synonymous with heroism. In modern usage, Roland has retained its resonance through various forms of cultural expression. It is a popular given name in English-speaking countries, maintaining a sense of importance and grandeur. Additionally, the name Roland can be found in literature, music, and film, perpetuating its historical significance to this day.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Roland.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Roland.
      Roland

      Roland

      This is the most common name for a child of a Roland.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1915 is when there were the most people born with the first name Roland.

      Explore the origins of another name.