Surname Roy - Meaning and Origin

A Remarkable Journey Through Time: Surprises Unearthed With My iGENEA DNA Test & ancestral Surname 'Roy'

The iGENEA DNA test I embarked on revealed enlightening and unexpected information about my ancestry. Although I knew 'Roy', my surname, had French roots, I discovered a deep Celtic background from my paternal line. Moreover, an unexpected trace of East Asian ancestry from my mother's side presented an intriguing twist, showcasing how diverse and far-reaching my family history truly is.

O. Roy

Roy: What does the surname Roy mean?

The surname Roy is of Scottish and French origin, deriving from the old French term "roi", which translates to "king" in English. In the Scottish context, it signifies "red." Originally, it was often used as a nickname for people with red hair or a ruddy complexion. In France, it was typically used to denote a person who carried themselves in a regal manner or someone serving in the king's household. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname. Besides France and Scotland, the surname is also very common in the Indian state of West Bengal where it was often adopted by Bengali Kayasthas, a caste traditionally involved with administration and governance. The popularity of the surname Roy in various cultures illustrates the diversity of its origins.

Roy: Where does the name Roy come from?

The last name Roy is a French surname and is common in both France and French-speaking parts of the world, particularly in Quebec, Canada. It is also quite common in the United States, particularly in states where there is a high concentration of French-Americans, such as Massachusetts, Louisiana, and New York. Roy is one of the most common surnames in France, and it is estimated to be the 67th most common surname in the United States.

Outside of North America, the last name Roy is also widespread in India, as it is a popular Hindu surname. It is one of the most commonly found surnames in the northeastern states of India, particularly the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar. The Roy surname is especially prominent in the Bhojpur region of Bihar. In the United Kingdom, the surname Roy is primarily found in Scotland, where it is the 91st most common name.

In Canada, the Roy surname is especially popular in the province of Quebec. It ranks as the 17th most common name in the province and is especially popular in Montreal. It is also quite common in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, and is the 10th most common name in Prince Edward Island.

Variations of the surname Roy

The surname Roy is a common surname that is believed to have originated in both French and British Isles. The surname Roy is an anglicized version of the French surname Le Roy, which is derived from the Latin term ‘rex’ meaning king. As such, the surname Roy is often linked to royal ancestry and could refer to any number of individuals throughout history.

Variants for the surname Roy are numerous in both language and spelling. Common variants that are also believed to be of French origin include LeRoy, Leroy, Roye, and Royer. In Irish and the English origin languages, variants such Deroy, Roi, Royce, and Ruel have also been recorded.

Surnames of the same origin as Roy also exist. In the French language, common surnames include DeRuy, Duray, Royo and Raye. In the Irish language, spellings such as Rye and Ryele are also considered surname variants of the name Roy.

In terms of spelling variants throughout different languages, some of the most common include Royc, Roys, Roi, Rouy, Royse, Royx, Royz, Royza, Royzo, and Royzu. There are also spelling variations the name in different languages and cultures, such as Roi in Spanish and Roué in Portuguese.

Overall, the surname Roy is widespread in many cultures and languages, with numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The origin of the name is often linked to royalty and the Latin term ‘rex’, meaning king.

Famous people with the name Roy

• Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, known by her married name Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is an Indian actress, model and the winner of the Miss World 1994 pageant.
• Ranbir Kapoor, also known as the poster boy of Indian cinema, is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi films.
• Aamir Khan, a critically acclaimed Bollywood actor, is an Indian actor, director, producer, and television host.
• Shah Rukh Khan, also known as SRK, is an Indian actor, producer and television personality.
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also known as MS Dhoni, is an Indian professional cricketer and former captain of the Indian national team.
• Siddhartha Roy, is an Indian actor, producer, and businessman.
• Gyan Raj Roy, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and storyteller.
• Jyotirindra Roy, is an Indian film director and screenwriter.
• Santanu Roy, is an Indian cricketer who plays for India in international competitions.
• Madhabi Mukherjee, is an Indian classic cinema and thumri singer.
• Siladitya Roy, is an Indian cricketer who has represented the Under-19 cricket team in Bangladesh.
• Shashidhara Roy, is an Indian classical dancer and the director of Kalamandalam.
• Matta Roy, is an Indian cricketer who plays for the Uttar Pradesh cricket team in domestic cricket.
• Natasha Roy, is an Indian professional dancer and choreographer.
• Syna Roy, is an Indian singer-songwriter and musician.

Other surnames

RoyackersRoyaelRoyakkersRoyalRoyallRoyalleRoyallsRoyalsRoyaltyRoydsRoyeRoyerRoykoRoylRoyleRoylesRoylsRoysRoysterRoyston