Last Name Roula

The surname Roule or Roulah is of French origin. It comes from a nickname or occupational name for someone who made small wooden wheels, derived from the Old French word "roue" which means wheel. This name was also a metonymic occupational name for a cart driver or chariot driver, from Middle French "roulier." The spelling variations include Rouleau, Rolland, and Roullet, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Roula

The meaning and origin of the last name Roula

The surname Roula is of Greek origin, derived from the given name "Roula" which means "famous, renowned, or garland." It is primarily found among the Greek population but has also been adopted by individuals of other ethnicities with connections to Greece or those who appreciate its cultural significance. As a matronymic surname, Roula was traditionally given to women and passed down through their children, although in modern times it may be used for both males and females. It is important to note that the spelling can vary slightly across different regions and families, with some common variations including Roulas, Roulois, and Roullos. Its popularity reflects the rich cultural history of Greece and its influence on global surnames.

Geographical distribution of the last name Roula

The surname Rouleau (or Roula, a variant spelling) is predominantly French Canadian, originating from Quebec Province in Canada. It is also present in France, particularly in regions such as Normandy and the Pays de la Loire. The name has been traced back to feudal times, with early records dating back to the 13th century in France. In recent years, due to migration and the spread of French culture, Rouleau can also be found in various parts of the United States, particularly Louisiana, as well as in Haiti, where it is often spelled Roula. Additionally, there are small numbers of Rouleaus in countries with significant French-speaking populations, such as Belgium and Switzerland.

Variants and spellings of the last name Roula

The surname Roula has several variations and spellings, reflecting its origin from different regions and over time. Some common variations include: de Roule, Rouille, Rouillard, Roullet, Roulé, Ruola, Roela, Roola, and Rolla. These differences can be attributed to factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors during migration, and the passage of time. In French-speaking regions, the name may have origins in the words "roue" (wheel) or "roulis" (rolling), indicating a profession related to transportation. The surname Roula can also be found among Arabic speakers, where it is derived from the Arabic word "Ruwala," meaning "tribe." This shows the diverse cultural and historical backgrounds that have contributed to the name's evolution. Despite these variations, the essence of the name Roula remains constant, offering a unique identity for those who bear it.

Famous people with the last name Roula

Roula is a surname of Arabic origin that has been borne by several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned individuals with this name is Roula Khalaf, a Jordanian-British journalist who serves as the editor-in-chief of The Economist magazine. Born in 1960, Khalaf began her journalism career in Amman, Jordan, and later moved to London. She has worked for several prestigious publications, including The Guardian and The Financial Times, before joining The Economist in 2015.

Another well-known figure with the surname Roula is Roula Tlass, a Syrian politician who was the First Lady of Syria from 1970 until her husband's death in 2000. As the wife of Hafez al-Assad, the President of Syria for nearly three decades, she wielded significant influence and was often involved in political affairs behind the scenes. She died in 2008, at the age of 76.

In the field of academia, Roula Kreidieh is a professor of computer science at the American University of Beirut. She has made significant contributions to the fields of data mining and artificial intelligence, and has published numerous papers on these topics. Born in Lebanon, she received her PhD from the University of Southern California before returning to her alma mater, the American University of Beirut, where she has been teaching since 1985.

Genealogical research on the last name Roula

The surname Rouleau or Roula is of French-Canadian origin and is a variant of the original French name Rollet. It is believed to have derived from the occupation of "roller" in Old French, a person who rolled logs for transport. The earliest known ancestors bearing this name were found in Normandy, France, where Rollet de Fresne appears in records dating back to 1180. The family migrated to Canada during the 17th century as part of the colonization efforts by the French regime. Notable figures with the surname Rouleau/Roula include Simon-Charles Rouleau, a lawyer and politician in New France; and Georges Émile Laurent Paul Rouleau, better known as Cœur de Lion (Heart of the Lion), a famous Canadian boxer who held the world heavyweight title in 1920. Genealogical research has shown that variations of the name can be found throughout Quebec and the Maritimes, with significant concentrations in regions like Montreal and Acadia.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "roula"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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