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R/RFHA P 4 June 1988

HISTORY OF THE NAME

The spelling ROLLIN(G)S has been used only in this country for more than two hundred years. Prior to the American Revolution, it was written RAWLINS, the spelling which prevails in England for the most part. Those who question this should refer to the epic ROLLINS/RAWLINS, NOTES RELATING TO, WITH NOTICES OF EARLY SETTLERS OF THE NAME IN AMERICA, etc., by John R. Rollins of Massachusetts, published first in 1870, with material added in 1874. His extensive research into the name is this editor's main source, although references have also been gleaned from "Burke's Landed Gentry" and L. G. Pine's "They Came With the Conqueror" and "Sons of the Conqueror".

John Rollins mentions in his treatise on the subject that the spelling ROLLINS does not appear anywhere before 1750 in America, whereas RAWLINS, RAWLINE, RAWLIN, RAWLINGS, RAWLINSON, etc., does. One might also add that with literacy not a common accomplishment in those early days of our country, record-keepers may have made errors in spelling which were later adopted as correct by descendants of those who could not read or write. The fact that you or your ancestors spell your surname with an 'o' rather than an 'a' makes no difference in the fact that you descend from this family, whatever the line, and that the original error was made by a clerk or census taker long ago.

From whence came the name is another matter. There are several versions, most of them going back to the Norman invasion in 1066, and the RAOULS who came with William the Conqueror. One version takes it back another generation or so with the Norseman (Viking) ROLLO the Giant, son of Rognvald, Earl of Maere and the Orcades, descended from the early kings of Sweden, also sometimes known as ROLLO, the Walker, because he was so large no horse could carry him.

In Scandinavian legend ROLLO looms large, not only because of his size but because of his extraordinary deeds. The story is told, for instance, that in the mid-900's A during one of his raids along the coast of Europe he conquered part of what is now France, and to keep him from intruding any further, the then French king married him to one of his daughters, gave him the part of France now known as Normandy (the Norse connection), and bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Normandy. ROLLO became a Christian for obvious political reasons and was baptized with the name ROBERT. One of his descendants was the illegitimate William, Duke of Normandy, more famous as William the Conqueror, later King William I of England.

In 1066 when William came to England with his army he brought with him 26 RAOULS, the French version of ROLLO, and it is believed that from these men came the many RAOUL lines from which all RAWLIN(G)S/ROLLIN(G)S in America and elsewhere descend, since RAOUL LIGNE translated means RAOUL's LINE. They can be found in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as the old counties of Essex, Norfolk, Surrey, Hereford, Kent, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire and Cornwall in England. There are also Raoulyn, Raoullin &Rollin in France

In a later newsletter we will cover the various coats of arms issued to different lines of RAWLIN(G)S/RAULIN(G)S down through the centuries since 1066 by the English kings.

The editor has copies of a very interesting and informative article on ROLLO from the Augustas Society's English Genealogist publication on our Viking heritage. If anyone is interested, an SASE will bring it to you.

Those of you who don't have a copy of John Rollin's work, let me point out that there are two editions. The first was published in 1870 and I obtained my copy from Higginson Genealogical Books, 14 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, at a cost of $15.00. However, I note by the new catalogue it is no longer listed. Stan Rawlings of Missouri says that a copy of the more complete and informative 1874 edition may be obtained from Earl Hughes, Rte.1, Box 291-A, Mitchell, Indiana 47446, at a cost of $55.00. However. Mr. Hughes very kindly answers questions concerning the contents of his book, so inquire before you order.

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