Rolle
An occupational surname for a person who made or sold parchment scrolls or rolls of paper.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 5,587 Americans carry the last name Rolle. That puts it at #6,960 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.63 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 61,349 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Rolle surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
5.6K
1 in 61,349
Census rank
#6,960
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
4.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 4,819 bearers of the surname Rolle in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.63 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6960th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Rolle, the largest self-reported group is Black at 73.1%. The next largest groups are White (17.6%) and Hispanic (3.8%).
Origin
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.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Rolle
Among Census respondents with the surname Rolle, the largest self-reported group is Black at 73.1%. The next largest groups are White (17.6%) and Hispanic (3.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Rolle bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Rolle surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American73.1%
- White17.6%
- Hispanic or Latino3.8%
- Two or more races3.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Rolle surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6,960 | #6,960 | 0.0% |
| Count | 4,819 | 4,819 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.63 | 1.63 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Rolle bearers went from 4,819 to 4,819 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #6,960 to #6,960.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Rolle
FAQ
Rolle surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Rolle?
The surname Rolle holds position #6,960 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 5,587 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.63 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Rolle surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Rolle, the largest self-reported group is Black at 73.1%. The next largest groups are White (17.6%) and Hispanic (3.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.