Ronald L. Hughes, Long Beach, MS, copyright@1998-2002 A GENERAL
OUTLINE OF THE THOMAS ROWLAND
LINEAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 1635-present
OpusLola@aol.com- all original comments in this work are considered copyright.
Written and compiled by Ronald L. Hughes, 1998 - 2002
Dedicated to the memory of my mother, Ruth Rowland Hughes, 1914-1999
Background of the Rowland/Roland name: This name is not "unusual," in all of Europe. In its different forms, it is present in almost, if not all of the Western countries of Europe. Its origin may be usual in many of its forms' IE, "Roland," common in France and England; Orlando, common in Italian areas; Rolando, common in Spanish/Portuguese areas, Rolland, Roelants are common in Germanic areas.
The Roland name is Old French and Germanic. It is a combination
than means "Glory and Land."
This version is thought to have spread, from the name of the famous Paladin
/ Knight of Charlemagne (Charles I) the first Holy Roman Emperor 800-814 AD,
and King of the Franks.
Roland/Orlando was famous for his strength, courage and chivalrous spirit
as well as his famous horn. From the 9th century, a time before surnames,
men begin to name their new born sons after famous men.
The name Roland/ Orlando/ Rolando symbolized all the strength and heroic, gallant, fighting defenders of the "faith" that a proud father could bestow on his son. It is certain that the Roland/Orlando version of the name entered England on, or shortly after 1066 AD, and the Norman conquest of England. I'm sure that the proud Frank/Viking followers of William the Conqueror used the name commonly.
It must be remembered that the Franks were not "French", as we now consider them. The Franks were a mixture of pre-Gallic, Anglo-Saxon, Germanic people, and the Normans were a mixture of Viking / Scandinavian / Danish people who, after invading and settling the Normandy region of France, and adopting the French court language as their own, then intermarried with the local Franks etc., before attacking and defeating the army of the Dane, Angle, Saxon, Jute, Briton, Celtic, Roman defenders of England.
While I don't claim to be an expert on names, I do feel that "Rowland", (the Rowland name spelling, most common in England) may be older than the Roland name of the Norman invaders. Its roots may be in old Germanic names like Rollander, Rulland, Reiland, Riland, Rohland, Roiland, Rolant etc., and Dutch names like Roelands, Rolandus, or even rooted in ancient Celtic. Of course in French, Le Roi / Le Roy, means "the King", IE- Royalty, then, maybe, Roiland means the land belonging to the King. I like to think it may be related to the "Rowan", or the land of the Rowan Tree. RLH-1999
Of course the name of Charlemagne's famous Knight Roland / Orlando / Rolando
may also be of the same background, so, all things considered, the name may
be the same anyway. Hope you enjoyed my rambling about the name. RLH-1999.
One must also consider that one of the Dukes of Normandy was named "Rollo", thus may have come the word "Rolloland" or the land belonging to Rollo. RLH-1998-99
Much of the information in this report comes from the Tippah County Web Page, and from various authors of articles connected with the Web Page. I am sorry I have note given credit to each author each time I have used their words or information. Other words and information has been taken from other works found on the Web, that I have failed to give proper attribution. I have also lost many of these sources. In most cases I have put their words in parenthesis or have typed them in italics. I hope this serves them and I hope it shall suffice.
To each author, I apologize for my failure. I have attempted to give attribution to those authors and publications that I have kept the source material available.
I do not seek any remuneration for this work, it is only printed for the use of my family and related families. I only wish that anyone that uses any or all of this work in another publication, to please include this statement.
Reader, please note that for those of you who receive a copy of this report, I have taken pains to leave blank spaces at the end of many pages for your notes or to place new updated information that may correct many of the mistakes that have however inadvertantly, made their way into this report.
Ronald L. Hughes
All "original" words and comments in this work are Copyright, by, Ronald L. Hughes, Long Beach, Mississippi, 11/20/1998.
Feel free to use any and all of this report for your records. I only request that you try to give the proper attribution to any and all original words or comments contained herein.