Surname Rouillard - Meaning and Origin
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Rouillard: What does the surname Rouillard mean?
Rouillard is a French surname derived from the Latin root word “rudis”, which means “rough”. It often appears as a surname in Latin regions of France and other countries of French origin, such as Quebec. Traditionally, the name was given to someone from a place with rocky terrain, or rough ground. The last name Rouillard literally translates to “one who comes from a rugged place".
The first mentions of the Rouillard surname appear in the 13th century in France and dates back to the old French provinces of Maine, Normandie, and Poitou. The name was first found a family of nobles from Brittany, who held a powerful title there during the 12th century. The Rouillard coat of arms was bestowed upon the family for their contribution and loyalty to the French king.
Over the centuries, the Rouillard surname grew in popularity and was found throughout France and other countries with French ancestry. The name is distinctively used in various regions of action, often to denote a person from a place with rugged terrain, or “rough ground”. Today, Rouillard is most commonly seen in Quebec, France, and various French-speaking countries across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisRouillard: Where does the name Rouillard come from?
The last name Rouillard is most commonly associated with France, where it first appeared in the 13th century. It derived from the French personal name Rouillard, which is derived from the old French word roial, meaning "red."
Today, there are thousands of people who bear the last name Rouillard throughout France. Many have spread to other parts of Europe, primarily Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Additionally, a number of French immigrants have taken the name to other parts of the world, including Canada, the United States, South America, and even Australia.
In terms of concentration, the largest population of Rouillards in France can be found in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, although the name is also fairly common in other parts of the country. In fact, the name Rouillard is ranked the 4,739th most common name in France.
Those bearing the Rouillard name today are descended from a long line of individuals who enjoyed an honorable status in their local communities, from French knights to powerful merchants. Today, Rouillards can be found holding a wide variety of professions, from farmers to governors. As the Rouillard name gradually spreads to other parts of the world, this family of proud French lineage will undoubtedly continue to prevail.
Variations of the surname Rouillard
The surname Rouillard is a common French family name, and it is derived from a French occupational name, derived from the Old French root "rouiller," meaning to 'rust' or 'rust-colored.' Variations of this surname differ from region to region, and no two areas may have the same spelling. Possible variants of the name Rouillard include Reuillard, de Roillard, Ruillier, Roillard, Roilard, Rullard, Roulard, Roulart, and Roilart.
Surnames of similar origin and spelling are scarce, and those variants usually arise from alterations made to the forms of the original name during the medieval period. Some of the more common related surnames include: Ruiz-Lard, Rouselle, Rouer, Roureau, Rougier, Rougnon, Rouillier, Roullard, Rousard, Rouseau, Rousillier, and Rousselier.
The olden spelling of the name, Rouillard, appears in many documents dating back to the 16th century. These documents concluded that the first recorded person to bear this name was Byzantine, Hervé de Rouillard, who was lord of a castle in Poitou during the 11th century. Many French families in modern day carry variations of this surname, such as American-born descended families. The name Rouillard has become international, as it has emerged in many countries, from Scotland to Canada.
Famous people with the name Rouillard
- Michelle Rouillard is a French-Canadian actress best known for her appearance in the film Maman.
- Sophie Rouillard is a French-Canadian singer and songwriter.
- Mathieu Rouillard is a professional hockey player who is currently playing in the Swiss National League.
- Olivier Rouillard is a French-Canadian producer and composer.
- Charles Rouillard is a Canadian politician who is a member of the Canadian Parliament.
- Simon Rouillard is a French author and writer, best known for his work On the Sand.
- Marie-Hélène Rouillard is a Canadian painter whose work has been featured in galleries around the world.
- Nathalie Rouillard is a French-Canadian author and illustrator, best known for her illustrations of classic novels.
- Juliette Rouillard is a French-Canadian journalist and television host.
- Philippe Rouillard is a former Canadian professional snowboarder and Olympic medalist.