NameCensus.

UK surname

Rolle

An occupational surname for a person who made or sold parchment scrolls or rolls of paper.

In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Rolle surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 209, ranked #19,009, up from #26,587 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Minster and Newchurch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Slough, New Forest and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rolle is 209 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 318.0%.

1881 census count

50

Ranked #26,587

Modern count

209

2016, ranked #19,009

Peak year

2015

209 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rolle had 50 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,587 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 209 in 2016, ranked #19,009.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 109 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Rolle surname distribution map

The map shows where the Rolle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Rolle surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rolle over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 43 #25,518
1861 historical 109 #19,693
1881 historical 50 #26,587
1891 historical 70 #28,073
1901 historical 48 #28,808
1911 historical 36 #29,370
1997 modern 149 #21,214
1998 modern 142 #22,406
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 151 #21,809
2003 modern 163 #20,554
2004 modern 164 #20,609
2005 modern 165 #20,468
2006 modern 160 #21,066
2007 modern 164 #20,973
2008 modern 171 #20,595
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 186 #20,379
2011 modern 180 #20,649
2012 modern 203 #19,025
2013 modern 204 #19,276
2014 modern 206 #19,318
2015 modern 209 #19,018
2016 modern 209 #19,009

Geography

Back to top

Where Rolles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Minster, Newchurch, Witheridge, Thelbridge and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Slough, New Forest, Hackney, Isle of Wight and Westminster. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Minster Kent
3 Newchurch Hampshire
4 Witheridge, Thelbridge Devon
5 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Slough 001 Slough
2 New Forest 011 New Forest
3 Hackney 010 Hackney
4 Isle of Wight 016 Isle of Wight
5 Westminster 014 Westminster

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rolle

These lists show first names that appear often with the Rolle surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rolle

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rolle, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Rolle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Rolle household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rolle is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rolle is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rolle falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rolle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Rolle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rolle

The surname Rolle originates from England and is believed to have derived from the Old French word "rolle," meaning a roll or scroll. This name likely referred to an occupation involving rolls or scrolls, such as a scribe or a legal clerk.

The earliest recorded instance of the Rolle surname dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled as "Rolle." This suggests that the name was already established in England during the Norman Conquest.

In the 12th century, a notable figure bearing the Rolle surname was Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349), an English spiritual writer and hermit who was known for his religious works, including "The Form of Living" and "The Fire of Love."

Another prominent individual with the Rolle surname was John Rolle (c. 1484-1556), an English judge and Chief Justice of the King's Bench during the reign of Henry VIII. He was known for his involvement in the trials of prominent figures like Thomas More and Anne Boleyn.

The Rolle family also had a strong presence in Devon, England, where they held the estate of Stevenstone near Great Torrington. One notable member of this branch was Denys Rolle (1614-1638), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Callington in Cornwall.

In the 18th century, John Rolle (1679-1730) was a prominent figure from the Rolle family. He was a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Devon, known for his involvement in the development of agriculture and industry in the region.

Another notable figure with the Rolle surname was Samuel Rolle (1738-1819), an English-born judge and politician who served as the Chief Justice of the Bahamas and was involved in the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies.

The Rolle surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as France and Germany, where it may have originated from similar occupational roots or from place names like Rolle in Switzerland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rolle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rolle surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 12 Rolles recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.06x.

County Total Index
Devon 12 12.06x
Kent 9 5.52x
Glamorgan 7 8.41x
Gloucestershire 5 5.33x
Norfolk 4 5.44x
Berkshire 3 8.36x
Northamptonshire 3 6.67x
Middlesex 2 0.42x
Angus 1 2.26x
Herefordshire 1 5.10x
Lancashire 1 0.18x
Somerset 1 1.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dover Castle in Kent leads with 9 Rolles recorded in 1881 and an index of 7500.00x.

Place Total Index
Dover Castle 9 7500.00x
Ystradyfodwg 7 95.89x
Bristol St George 5 115.21x
St Giles In The Wood 4 2666.67x
Stow Bardolph 4 1818.18x
West Teignmouth 4 526.32x
Evenley 3 3750.00x
Wantage 3 526.32x
Exeter St Thomas The 2 198.02x
St Anne Soho London 2 73.26x
Bicton 1 3333.33x
Lochee 1 256.41x
Moss Side 1 33.56x
Stoke Damerel 1 14.37x
Tarrington 1 1250.00x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 161.29x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rolle surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Louisa 3
Emily 2
Gertrude 2
Mary 2
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Kate 1
M. 1
Maria 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Rolle surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 4
James 3
John 3
Fredrick 2
Abralom 1
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Evan 1
Frank 1
Gustav 1
Henry 1
Mark 1
Richard 1
Theodor 1
Theodore 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Rolle households.

FAQ

Rolle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rolle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Rolle surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rolle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 209 in 2016. That gives Rolle a modern rank of #19,009.

What does the Rolle surname mean?

An occupational surname for a person who made or sold parchment scrolls or rolls of paper.

What does the Rolle map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rolle bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.