This English surname is of ancient origins. It is derived from the personal name "Joel", plus various diminutive suffix to give spellings such as Jollanus of Lincoln in 1150 a.d. and later by transposition to spellings such as Jolland and Golland in the 17th century. The personal name Joel originates from the Celtic and Breton pre 5th century personal name "Iudicael", composed of the elements "Iud-", meaning lord or chief, and "-hael", generous and bountiful. This name was borne by a 7th Century saint who was king of Brittany, later abdicating and living the rest of his life in a monastery. Modern forms of the surname include Jolin, Jolland, Jollands, Jowling, Golland and Golland. The personal name is found in Lincolnshire, during the reign of Henry 11 (1154 - 1189), as Jollanus and Joelinus, while one Iolanus de Nouilla appears in the same records. William Goelin is mentioned in 1212, in the Curia Rolls of Oxford, whilst Richard Joelan is recorded in the Curia Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1214. Thomas Goll;and was recorded in Yorkshire in 1412. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alexander Jolleen. This was dated 1196, in the Curia Regis rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Richard 1st, known as The Lionheart, 1189 - 1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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