ROY
Roy
The surname Roy is of Norman French origin, introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is derived from the Old French word roi, meaning "king", and was often used as an occupational name for someone who served in the household of a king or held a position of authority.
The surname Roy has since been anglicised and is most commonly found in various regions of the United Kingdom. It is particularly prevalent in Scotland, where it is often a variant of the surname Reid, meaning "red".
Famous bearers of the surname Roy include the Scottish economist and philosopher Sir Alex Roy, as well as the Indian-born British actress Archie Roy. The name has also seen variations over time, such as Le Roy or Leroy, which can be attributed to changes in spelling and pronunciation.
The surname Roy remains a distinctive and respected family name within British culture, with a rich history stretching back over centuries.
There are approximately 8,205 people named Roy in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,152nd most common surname in Britain. Around 126 in a million people in Britain are named Roy.
Region of origin: Asia
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Alexander
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Alison
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jean
- Jennifer
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Sheila
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.