Roland is a masculine Frankish given name that is also used as a family name. Forms in other languages include:

Orlando Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures re ...

(Italian), Rolando (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), Roldán (Spanish).

Origin

The name Roland originates from Frankish. Its meaning has usually been identified as "famous land," "from the famous land," or "fame of the land", derived from the stems "Hrōð" or "χrōþi" meaning fame, and "land" (Hrōþiland). Some claim that "land" was derived from "nand," meaning "brave.", The name became widespread after the semi-legendary military hero

Roland Roland (; frk, *Hrōþiland; lat-med, Hruodlandus or ''Rotholandus''; it, Orlando or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the ...

who served in the Frankish army under

Charlemagne Charlemagne ( , ) or Charles the Great ( la, Carolus Magnus; german: Karl der Große; 2 April 747 – 28 January 814), a member of the Carolingian dynasty, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and the first E ...

circa 778 A.D. and whose exploits were celebrated in the ''Chanson de Roland'' or ''Song of Roland''. Variations include " Rollo" in

British English British English (BrE, en-GB, or BE) is, according to Oxford Dictionaries, "English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere". More narrowly, it can refer specifically to the English language in England, or, more broadl ...

and "Rolle" in Scandinavian languages.

Given name

* Roland (bishop of Treviso) (fl. 1073–1089), Italian prelate *

Roland of Cremona Roland of Cremona (around 1178–1259) was a Dominican theologian and an early scholastic philosopher. He was the first Dominican regent master at Paris, France (1229–1230).''The Early Scholastics'', ''The Problem Of The Soul In The Thirteenth Ce ...

(1178–1259), Italian Dominican friar and theologian *

Roland of Sicily Orlando (or Roland) (1296–1361) was the second-eldest illegitimate son of Frederick II of Sicily by his concubine Sibilla di Sormella. During his father's reign, he lived in the shadows, but he rose to influence in the courts of his half-brother ...

(1296–1361), Sicilian nobleman and general

A–E

* Roland Bäckman (born 1960), Swedish politician * Roland Bailey, American football cornerback known as "Champ" *

Roland Barthes Roland Gérard Barthes (; ; 12 November 1915 – 26 March 1980) was a French literary theorist, essayist, philosopher, critic, and semiotician. His work engaged in the analysis of a variety of sign systems, mainly derived from Western pop ...

(1915–1980), French literary critic and theorist *

Roland Borsa Roland Borsa (; ro, Roland Borşa ; died 1301) was voivode of Transylvania for 3 periods in the late 13th century. He was known for battling the Mongol invasions and, later, for rebelling against King Charles I's attempts to control his territory. ...

(died 1301), voivode of Transylvania for 3 periods in the late 13th century * Roland Burris (born 1937), American politician *

Roland Butcher Roland Orlando Butcher (born 14 October 1953) is a former cricket player and coach, who played for England in three Test matches and three One Day Internationals from 1980 to 1981. He is recognised as being the first black cricketer to repre ...

, Barbados born English cricketer * Roland Van Campenhout (born 1944), Flemish blues musician *

Roland Chaplain Dr. Roland Philip Chaplain. MA(Cantab), C.Psychol. AFBPSs lectured in the psychology of education in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. Chaplain has published numerous books on classroom management and stress from the perspective ...

, English author and senior lecturer *

Roland Clark Roland Clark is an American house music DJ, producer, songwriter and vocalist. Biography In the past, Roland Clark used the aliases Jesus Jackson, Digital Pimps, Dark Clark, South Street Player, and is also founding member of the dance music p ...

(born 1965), American house music DJ, producer, songwriter and vocalist *

Roland Cziurlock Roland Cziurlock, (born November 30, 1967 in Opole, Silesia, Poland) is a retired German professional bodybuilder. Despite being born in the Silesian city, since 1986 in Poland, he competed for Germany. His best performances were in the 1990s and ...

(born 1967), German bodybuilder *

Roland Desné Roland Desné (24 April 1931 – 9 July 2020) was a French writer, philosopher, and historian. Biography The son of a railway worker, Desné joined the French Communist Party with his philosophy professor, Guy Besse. In Paris, he met numerous ...

(1931–2020), French writer *

Roland Dumas Roland Dumas (; born 23 August 1922) is a French lawyer and Socialist politician who served as Foreign Minister under President François Mitterrand from 1984 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1993. He was also President of the Constitutional Council ...

(born 1922), French Socialist politician and lawyer who served as

Foreign Minister A foreign affairs minister or minister of foreign affairs (less commonly minister for foreign affairs) is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations. The formal title of the top official varies between co ...

from 1984 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1993 and

President of the Constitutional Council of France The Constitutional Council (french: Conseil constitutionnel; ) is the highest constitutional authority in France. It was established by the Constitution of the Fifth Republic on 4 October 1958 to ensure that constitutional principles and rules ...

from 1995 to 1999 *

Roland Ekenberg Major General Bo Göran Roland Ekenberg né ''Arvidsson'' (born 21 March 1957) is retired a Swedish Army officer. His senior commands include commanding officer of the Eastern Army Division (1999–2000) and the Chief of Home Guard (2005–2018). ...

(born 1957), Swedish Army major general * Roland Emmerich (born 1955), German film director, screenwriter, and producer, United States' 11th-highest-grossing director of all time * Roland Étienne (born 1944), French archaeologist

F–M

* Roland Freisler (1893–1945), jurist and judge of Nazi Germany, State Secretary of the

Reich Ministry of Justice ''Reich'' (; ) is a German noun whose meaning is analogous to the meaning of the English word " realm"; this is not to be confused with the German adjective "reich" which means "rich". The terms ' (literally the "realm of an emperor") and ' (l ...

, and President of the People's Court * Roland of Galloway (d. 1200), Norse-Gaelic king of Galloway * Roland Garros (aviator) (1888–1918), French aviator *

Roland Gibbs Field Marshal Sir Roland Christopher Gibbs, (22 June 1921 – 31 October 2004) was Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, from 1976 to 1979, and Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire from 1989 to 1996. He saw active servi ...

(1921–2004), British military officer *

Roland Gift Roland (; frk, *Hrōþiland; lat-med, Hruodlandus or ''Rotholandus''; it, Orlando or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the ...

(born 1961), British singer * Roland Grapow (born 1959), German heavy metal guitarist *

Roland Harrah III Roland Edward Harrah (January 20, 1973 – January 3, 1995) was an American film and television child actor, actor, songwriter, musician, singer, and artist.Obituary, '' The Press-Enterprise'', Riverside, California, January 6, 1995. Biography ...

(1973–1995), American actor *

Roland Hattenberger Roland Hattenberger (born 7 December 1948) is a former Austrian footballer. Club career Born in Jenbach, Tyrol, Hattenberger started his professional career at lower league outfit Wattens, before moving to Austrian Football Bundesliga side SSW ...

(born 1948), Austrian footballer * Roland Joffe (born 1945), British film director *

Roland Kaiser Roland Kaiser (born Ronald Keiler; 10 May 1952) is a German Schlager singer. He is one of the most successful German-speaking Schlager singers. Keiler was born in West Berlin. He was working as a marketing executive in a car firm where he w ...

(born 1952), German singer * Roland Kirk (a.k.a. Rahsaan Roland Kirk, 1935–1977), American jazz musician * Roland Koch (born 1958), German politician * Roland Kun (born 1970), Nauruan politician * Roland Michener (1900–1991), Canadian politician, Governor General of Canada

N–Z

Roland Orzabal Roland Orzabal (born Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana; 22 August 1961) is a British musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, and author. He is best known as a co-founder of Tears for Fears, of which he is the main songwriter and joint v ...

(born 1961), English musician, songwriter and record producer *

Roland Penrose Sir Roland Algernon Penrose (14 October 1900 – 23 April 1984) was an English artist, historian and poet. He was a major promoter and collector of modern art and an associate of the surrealists in the United Kingdom. During the Second World ...

(1900–1984), British surrealist artist and poet * Roland Pope (1864–1952), Australian cricketer and ophthalmologist * Roland I Rátót (died 1277 or 1278), Hungarian influential lord *

Roland II Rátót Roland (II) from the kindred Rátót ( hu, Rátót nembeli (II.) Roland; died 1307) was a Hungarian baron at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. He was one of the seven barons in the early 14th century, who were styled themselves Palatine of ...

(died 1301), Hungarian baron * Roland III Rátót (died 1336), Hungarian baron * Roland Ratzenberger (1960–1994), Austrian racing driver *

Roland Rotherham Roland Rotherham (AKA ''Roly'' or ''Uncle Roly'') is a retired British writer and lecturer, who specializes in medieval legends and lore, especially those related to King Arthur, Merlin and Glastonbury. He also is an expert in historical cookery ...

, British historian and lecturer * Roland the Farter, 12th century jester * Roland Stephen Tennekoon, Sri Lankan Sinhala politician, elected member of the

State Council of Ceylon The State Council of Ceylon was the unicameral legislature for Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), established in 1931 by the Donoughmore Constitution. The State Council gave universal adult franchise to the people of the colony for the first time. It re ...

Roland Topor Roland Topor (7 January 1938 – 16 April 1997) was a French illustrator, cartoonist, comics artist, painter, novelist, playwright, film and TV writer, filmmaker and actor, who was known for the surreal nature of his work. He was of Polish-Jewish ...

(1938–1997), French illustrator and writer * Roland Evelyn Turnbull (1905–1960), British colonial administrator * Roland Varga (footballer) (born 1990), Hungarian footballer * Roland Wlodyka (1938–2020), NASCAR Cup Series driver *

Roland Wohlfarth Roland Wohlfarth (born 11 January 1963) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Club career Wohlfarth was born in Bocholt. He was active in the Bundesliga from 1981 until 1998, spanning 287 games and 120 goals. At first ...

(born 1963), German footballer * Roland Woolsey (born 1953), American football cornerback * Saint Roland (died 1200), French abbot * Roland Tan, Singaporean gangster and fugitive wanted for murder

Surname

* Blessed Nicolas Roland (1642–1678), Catholic priest * Dean Roland (born 1972), American musician *

Dennis Roland Dennis Roland, Jr. (born March 10, 1983) is a former American football offensive tackle. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Roland has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago ...

(born 1983), American football player *

Ed Roland Edgar Eugene Roland, Jr. (born August 3, 1963) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the rock band Collective Soul. He is also active with his side project ...

(born 1963), American musician * Edwin J. Roland (1905–1985), American Coast Guard commandant * Floyd Roland (born 1961), Canadian politician * Gene Roland (1921-1981), American jazz composer and musician * Gérard Roland (footballer) (born 1981), French football player * Gilbert Roland (1905–1994), American actor *

Hans Roland Hans Roland (born 1931) is an Australian author and teacher. Born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1931, he grew up at the time of the rise of the Nazi Party. Whilst Roland joined the Hitler Youth his family joined an underground movement to assist ...

(born 1931), Australian author and teacher * Ida Roland (1881–1951), Austrian actress * Jean-Marie Roland (1734–1793), French politician, leader of the Girondist faction in the French Revolution *

Joe Roland Joe Roland (May 17, 1920 – October 12, 2009) was an American jazz vibraphonist. Roland began as a clarinetist, attending the Institute of Musical Art (later known as the Juilliard School) from 1937 to 1939. He started on xylophone in 1940 and ...

(1920–2009), American jazz musician *

John Roland John Roland (born 1941) is an American former news presenter and reporter. Career Roland is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native who graduated from California State University at Long Beach in 1964; he began his broadcasting career in the 1960s. His ...

(born 1941), American journalist * Johnny Roland (born 1943), American football player * Madame Roland (1754–1793), wife of Jean-Marie *

Pauline Roland Pauline Roland (1805, Falaise, Calvados – 15 December 1852) was a French feminist and socialist. Upon her mother's insistence, Roland received a good education and was introduced to the ideas of Claude Henri de Rouvroy, Comte de Saint-Simon, ...

(1805-1852), French feminist * Pierre Roland (born 1979), Indonesian actor * Ruth Roland (1892–1937), American actress *

Seth Roland Seth Roland (born 1957) is the head coach of the Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team, a position he has held since 1997. As a player, he won a silver medal with Team USA at the 1981 Maccabiah Games in Israel. As a coach of Team USA, he won a ...

(born 1957), American soccer player and coach *

Walter Roland Walter Roland (possibly December 20, 1902 – October 12, 1972) was an American blues, boogie-woogie and jazz pianist, guitarist and singer, noted for his association with Lucille Bogan, Josh White and Sonny Scott. The music journalist ...

(1902–1972), American blues, boogie-woogie and jazz musician

Variations

* Rolando * Roldán * Role * Roli * Rolie * Rolin * Rolo * Rolon * Rolly * Rolo * Rowland * Rowlands

References

{{given name, type=both Dutch masculine given names English given names Estonian masculine given names French masculine given names German masculine given names Scandinavian masculine given names English masculine given names

Origin

Given name

A–E

F–M

N–Z

Surname

Variations

See also

References