Surname Ruland - Meaning and Origin
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Ruland: What does the surname Ruland mean?
The last name Ruland is derived from Old German and is believed to be of locational origin, referring to those who were originally from Rulland, a region near the Rhine and Main rivers. Rulland may also be an ancient homestead or a location near a manor or a marketplace. The earliest recorded variants of the Ruland name include Rune, Ruhl, Rull, Ruolant, and Rulandt.
Historically, the Ruland name was associated with prominent noble families. The von Ruland House of Knighthood was a prominent noble family in the mid-16th century, holding title and lands all over today’s Germany, France, and Luxembourg. Over the centuries, the Ruland family grew and expanded their holdings and estates, which undoubtedly led to the growth of their influence and social standing.
The Ruland surname is found in Germany, the United States, and other countries all over the world. It is believed to have spread across the world due to the migrations of Ruland descendants over the centuries, many of whom settled in South America and the United States.
Today, the Ruland name is fairly common and the family is storied, with proud traditions and a strong sense of heritage. In the 21st century, the descendants of the original Ruland family are active in many fields, ranging from the arts to politics to business.
Order DNA origin analysisRuland: Where does the name Ruland come from?
The last name Ruland is common today throughout most of Western Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. It is also widespread in the United States, particularly in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In Germany, Ruland is mainly found in the western and northern parts of the country from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria to Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also scattered across the rest of the country though not as common as in the aforementioned states.
In the Netherlands, the last name is mainly concentrated in the northern part of the country in provinces such as Friesland and Groningen. It is more sparsely found in the rest of the country.
Ruland is quite common in the United States as well, with the majority of those who bear the name hailing from the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. It is also common in states such as New York, Illinois, and California, as well as many others.
Overall, the last name Ruland is very widespread today and is particularly common in certain parts of Western Europe and the United States. Those who bear the name can trace their roots back to these regions.
Variations of the surname Ruland
The surname Ruland has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Ruland may also be spelled Reuland, Ruolend, Ruuland, Rueland, Rooleand, Rozland, Roeland, Roiled, Prcilland, Rhuland, Ruhland, Rheuland, Raaland, Rauland, and Raehlund.
The origins of the surname Ruland can be traced back to Germanic, Dutch, and English languages. Its meaning or etymology is believed to be derived from the Old High German word ‘Rudalant’ or ‘ruolant’, which refers to a ‘famous land’, or ‘fame in the land’. The name was also used to describe someone with an old-fashioned or antiquated dress sense.
In some parts of the world, the surname is also associated with the surname of Ruhl, which is derived from the German ‘ruh’, which means ‘person’.
Many immigrants to the United States and Canada changed the spelling of their surnames to the more English-sounding ‘Reuland’, ‘Ruoulend’ or ‘Rooleand'. As a result, the family surnames Ruhl, Reuland, Rooleand, Rozland, Rhuland, Rheuland, Rauland, Raaland, and Raehlund have all eventually become known as Ruland.
These various spellings of the name may have been caused in part by languages being routinely misinterpreted, changed, and translated over centuries of migration and travel.
Famous people with the name Ruland
- Kelly Ruland: Former United States Women's National Soccer Team player and defending Olympic Gold Medalist; now head coach at the University of San Diego.
- Michael Ruland: German radio presenter and actor.
- Kelli Ruland: Award-winning visual effects artist with credits on films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter franchise.
- Roger Ruland: Award-winning Broadway performer, singer, and songwriter.
- Ryan Ruland: Professional skateboarder and X Games Medalist.
- Steve Ruland: Retired professional golfer and winner of the PGA Tour's 2004 U.S. Bank Championship.
- Stan Ruland: Olympic gold medalist and former head coach of the University of Arizona's men's basketball team.
- Scott Ruland: Professional rock climber, sponsored by companies like Five Ten, La Sportiva, and Mammut.
- Paul Ruland: German actor, director, and writer.
- Fred Ruland: Retired American South African professional boxer and world middleweight champion.