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Etymology of Roman

What does the name Roman mean?

The distinguished surname Roman is of Spanish origin, and is derived from the forename of the father of the original bearer. In this case, the name is derived from the Latin first name "Romanus," which became "Roman" in Spanish. Thus, the surname Roman would simply have identified the original bearer as a "son of Roman."

Early Origins of the Roman family

The surname Roman was first found in the region of Castile, near the city of Toledo. Records also show that there was a strong early presence of the surname Roman in Madrid and Seville.

Early History of the Roman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roman research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1606 and 1624 are included under the topic Early Roman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Roma, Román, Romáña, Romay, Romaz and others.

Early Notables of the Roman family

Prominent among bearers of the Roman family name at this time was

  • Miguel Roman de Nogales, who was born in Seville in 1606, and emigrated to Mexico in 1624, where he became Mayor of Veracruz

Roman Ranking

In the United States, the name Roman is the 515th most popular surname with an estimated 57,201 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Roman is ranked the 1,105th most popular surname with an estimated 4,924 people with that name. 2


Roman migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Roman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Susan Roman, who arrived in Maryland in 1671 3
Roman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Romain Roman, aged 26, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 3
Roman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Miguel Roman, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1804 3
  • Lorenzo Roman, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 3
  • Martin Roman, who landed in America in 1813 3
  • Batiste Roman, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1813 3
  • Pero Roman, who landed in America in 1827 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Roman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Adam Roman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Roman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Contemporary Notables of the name Roman (post 1700) +

  • Freddie Roman (1937-2022), born Fred Kirschenbaum, an American stand-up comedian, best known for his frequent appearances at "Borscht Belt" hotels
  • Tony San Roman, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Texas State House of Representatives, 2002 (77th District), 2012 (75th District)
  • Twyla Roman, American Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives
  • Brian P. Roman, American astronomer
  • Antonio Román (b. 1911), Spanish film director
  • Mercedes Román Casillas (1945-2024), Mexican athlete who competed in the women's 4 × 100 metres relay, long jump, and pentathlon at the 1968 Summer Olympics
  • L'ubomír Roman (1944-2022), Slovak politician, Member of the Christian Democratic Movement, he served as Minister of Culture from March to December 1994
  • Dan Mihai Roman (b. 1985), Romanian football striker
  • Marcel Nicolás Román (b. 1988), Uruguayan footballer
  • Raúl Basilio Román (b. 1977), Paraguayan football striker
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Petra Roman (1884-1914), Romanian Third Class Passenger from Temesvár, Romania who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 4


Suggested Readings for the name Roman +

  • Pioneer Families by Becky Hardin.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html


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