Tolland

This is an English locational surname from the county of Somerset. The origin is pre 7th century and the derivation is from 'tone - landa', meaning the lands on the River Tone. The village is ancient being first recorded in the records known as 'Diplomaticus codex saxoni' in the year 897 a.d. as 'Taaland'. Four hundred years later at the begining of the medieval period the village is recorded as Taland and Tolande, forms which it has largely retained until today. The surname however is not recorded in Somerset at all. This is not entirely surprising because locational names are 'from' names. This is to say that they were largely given to people after they left their original homes and moved elsewhere. This could be the next village, but in many cases was the mecca of London, and it is in London that most early recordings seem to be found. These include such examples as Davie Tollin, who married Amis Stone at the church of St Stephens and St Benets in the city of London on June 21st 1572, and slightly later Windall Toland, the daughter of Robert Toland, who was christened at St Botolphs without Aldgate, on January 10th 1640. Slightly later again is the recording of Richard Tolland, a witness at St Giles Cripplegate, on June 12th 1670.