Surname Royster - Meaning and Origin

Decoding My Royster Surname: A Heritage Journey Across Ages with iGENEA

Unraveling the rich cultural and historical narratives embedded in my genes, my iGENEA DNA test has revealed a wealth of fascinating knowledge about my Royster surname. With origins deeply rooted in England and France, my heritage traces back to ancient societies marked by bravery, adventure, and intelligence. England's infamous seafarers, French warriors, and the turbulent Norman conquests all form the diverse and captivating world of my heritage.

H. Royster

Royster: What does the surname Royster mean?

The last name Royster is of English origin and is believed to have been a nickname or an occupational name. It is derived from the Middle English term "ro(o)ster," which referred to someone that acted like a rooster or a cock (male bird), or in some contexts, implied an early riser or someone proud and cocky in their demeanor. Thus, the surname could have possibly been used to metaphorically describe a person's characteristics or profession, such as a keeper of roosters. Over time, it transformed into a family name. It is also important to be aware that meanings of surnames can change and vary over centuries and between regions, so such interpretations should be seen as possible suggestions. Many bearers of the Royster name can be found in the United States today, as a result of English migration in colonial times.

Royster: Where does the name Royster come from?

Today, the last name Royster is especially common in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the most concentrated populations of people with the surname Royster tend to be in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. In particular, more than half of the recorded uses of the name Royster in the United States are concentrated in North Carolina, where it is the 46th most common last name. In fact, the city of Charlotte, North Carolina has a street named after the Royster family that has been living there for generations. The name is also found somewhat heavily in England, albeit mostly in counties bordering Wales. Though this is likely due to the old Saxon influence.

In general, the Royster surname is quite old—it is believed to have either originated from a Norman French nickname or be rooted in the Old English ragg and/or roth, meaning “proud” or “red” respectively—and is primarily found among descendants from the southern United States and the British Isles. The name is also a frequent occurrence or variation in Jewish families, it is thought to have a Biblical root; a descendant of the Biblical Rehoboam and the House of David.

Variations of the surname Royster

The surname Royster has several variants, spellings, and/or surnames of the same origin. Royster is a patronymic surname, derived from a a personal name or occupation as opposed to a geographical location. Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Royster are Royston, Roister, Roysor, Royset, Roisster, Rosser, and Roysert.

Royston is a more commonly used variant of the surname Royster. It is most commonly used in England. This spelling originates from the Old English personal names "Ruod", "Rod", and "Hrod", which are derived from the Germanic words "hrod" or "rod" which mean "renown". It is also possible that the surname came from a place name.

Roister is another variant of the surname Royster. It is most commonly used in Scotland. Roister is a more archaic form of the surname Royster. The Scottish variant also has the same Germanic roots as the English.

Roysor is another variant of the surname Royster, and is most commonly found in Scotland. The origination of this variant is unclear, though some believe it is derived from the Middle English word roisor or roissor which means "infantryman".

Royset is another variant of the surname Royster, and is most commonly found in Scotland. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English word roussette, which means "thundering or loud noise". This suggests that the family may have been known for their loud and boisterous personalities.

Roisster is another variant of the surname, and is most commonly found in Scotland and England. The variant is derived from the Old French word roi which means "king".

Rosser is another variant of the surname Royster, which is most commonly found in England and Wales. It is believed to be derived from the personal name Rys which is derived from the Old English name "Hrycg" which means "power".

Roysert is the last spelling variant of the surname Royster. This variant is most commonly found in England and Scotland. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word roisier, which translates to "judge".

Famous people with the name Royster

• Peggy Lynn Royster: a former American high jump athlete and 1978 Old Dominion University Female Athlete of the Year.
• Mary Jacquelyn Royster: a groundbreaking poet and author, best known for her poem “Time Piece.”
• Stephen Royster: an American Broadway music director and orchestrator who has been a conductor for multiple shows, including Rent and Cats.
• Joe Royster: a former professional American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys in 1983.
• Darryl Royster: an American soccer centre back and a member of the 2000 US Olympic team.
• Audley Royster: an American athlete who won two silver medals at the 2007 Pan American Games.
• Landon Royster: an American professional basketball player who has played in the NBA and in several CBA and European leagues.
• Erica Royster: an American Paralympic dressage rider, who was a member of the United States’ 2004 Paralympic dressage team.
• Victor Royster: an American editorial cartoonist from Oakland, California.
• Thomas Royster: an American actor, director and comedian.
• Christopher Royster: a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1982 to 1995.
• Sharon Royster: a charity executive and nonprofit organization administrator who has been an advocate for youth, education and health in the United States.

Other surnames

Royston