Surname Boland - Meaning and Origin

Boland: What does the surname Boland mean?

The last name Boland is derived from the Irish language and roots, most commonly found in the southeastern counties of Ireland. It is compound name, combining the Gaelic words "buadh," an ancient term meaning "victory," and "landa," meaning "a wilderness or uncultivated land." Taken together, the name can be interpreted to mean "victorious wilderness."

Generally speaking, the Boland surname denotes a wealthy and established family, having a long history of success within their community. They were known to be merchants and traders of great means and influence. As such, they would often purchase tracts of uncultivated land and develop them, thus establishing their presence within a specific area.

The Boland family was also said to have great pride in their heritage and traditions. They were known to be a leader in Irish culture and were highly respected within Irish society.

Today, the Boland name is still a prominent one in Ireland, and though not always spelled in the same way, it stands as a testament to their deep historical ties. It is a reminder of an ancient clan who was known for their success and their ability to remain triumphant even in the harshest of conditions.

Boland: Where does the name Boland come from?

Boland is a particularly common Irish surname; it is estimated that 30% of all Bolands, worldwide, live in Ireland. The surname is most often found in the province of Munster, particularly in counties Clare, Limerick, Cork, Kerry, and Tipperary. The name can also be found in large numbers in Northern Ireland's Ulster Province, especially in Galway and Mayo. It is thought to be of Old Norse origin, deriving from the prefix Bolen, which meant "headland" or "rock".

In recent decades, the surname has spread to numerous other countries with Irish emigration, including the United States, England, Australia, Canada, Scotland, Wales, and New Zealand. In the US, the Boland surname is particularly prevalent in New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and California. In England, it is most commonly found in London.

Boland is an ancient and aristocratic surname, likely first arriving in Ireland with the First Irish Fleming Invasion of 1179. The ancestral home of the Boland family was in County Clare, where they held a hereditary seat from ancient times. Today, the surname is still held in high esteem in Ireland and is proudly celebrated by many families, both in the Emerald Isle and internationally.

Variations of the surname Boland

The surname Boland is of Irish origin, and is a variation of the Gaelic surname Ó Beólláin meaning "descendant of Beóllán". It is typically found in the Irish counties of Connacht, Clare, Kerry, Galway and Cork. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Boland include Balland, Bolańd, Boland, Bolland, Bollan, Bollen and Bollen.

The Irish surname Boland is typically found among the Northern Irish surnames, indicating a migration to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland during the history of the two countries. In Northern Ireland, the surname Boland is spelled Bolland and is most commonly found in Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone.

In England, variants of Boland include Bolland and Bolon, and are mostly clustered in the East Midlands, along parts of North Wales, Lancashire and Yorkshire. In Scotland, spellings of Boland include Balland, Bolland, Bollon and Bollin.

Alternate spellings of Boland include the German surnames Bolland and Bollander, and the French variants Bolande and Bolant. In the Netherlands, the surname is recorded as Bolan and, in Scandinavia, as Bollan.

Overall, the surname Boland and its variants are remarkably common and widespread, having migrated from Ireland to England, Scotland, France, Germany, Netherlands and Scandinavia over time.

Famous people with the name Boland

• Kaillie Humphries, Canadian Olympic bobsled champion
• Chris Boland, British voice actor
• Andrew Boland, Australian journalist
• Ryan Boland, Irish Gaelic footballer
• Mark Boland, Welsh rugby union player
• Brad Boland, former American MLB pitcher
• Chris Boland, British cyclist
• Maria Boland, American politician
• Duke Boland, Canadian actor
• Justin Boland, Australian swimmer
• Andy Boland, British actor
• Kat Boland, American model
• Michael Boland, American basketball player
• Patricia Boland, American actress
• Bill Boland, American politician
• Colleen Boland, American poet and writer
• Rob Boland, Australian-born professional golfer
• Steve Boland, English actor and screenwriter
• Sean Boland, American hockey coach
• Tim Boland, Irish Gaelic football player

Other surnames

Bolan