Show ContentsLes roys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Les roys has a history dating as far back as the Middle Ages. It was a Bretonname for a person who acted the role of the king in local festivals, or who habitually put on regal airs. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word "rei", meaning king.

Early Origins of the Les roys family

The surname Les roys was first found in Brittany, where this eminent family held a family seat since ancient times.

Pierre du Roaiz is recorded in the cartulary of the hospitaliers (Religious orders who care for the sick and destitute) of Puy in 1181. Due to his great contributions to his community, Jean Roays was granted knighthood in 1253 and in 1261. In 1357, Robert Roays rendered homage for his fief to the Baron of Solignac and then in 1457 Jean III Roays carried out the same act to the Viscount Joyeuse, Baron of Saint-Didier-en-Velay. From this family came Simonnet des Roys, Lord of Roys, co-Lord of Brignon and Magistrate and Captain of the military. Actively involved in the Crusades, Etienne and Gilbert Roys were honored with the title of the Knights of Malta for their valiant action.

Valentin des Roys made a transaction with his brother on June 6, 1503, regarding the succession of their parents. From Valentin's marriage to Marie of Bourdelles, came the Marquis of Roys, the Lords of Eschandelys and the Barons of Enclos.

In 1684, Jacques, Marquis of Roys, rendered homage to the King. Following his noble descendants was Claude Annet, First Page to Louis XV and to Louis XVI, Captain of the Dauphiné cavalry, who obtained Honours from the Court in 1785. Etienne, his son, Marquis of Roys, married Jenny Hoche, daughter of the famous General, in 1832, and their son, Ernest, was the Auditor, a member of the State Council and the Deputy of la Seine-Inférieure.

One of the earliest records of the name Roy in Canada was with Etienne Roy, son of Mathurin and Marguerite (neé Bire) of La Rochelle. Etienne married Marguerite Navarre on 26th August 1669 and he died in Charlesbourg, Quebec and was buried on 1st March 1690. 1

Early History of the Les roys family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Les roys research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Les roys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Les roys Spelling Variations

Most surnames have experienced slight spelling changes. A son may not chose to spell his name the same way that his father did. Many were errors, many deliberate. During the early development of the French language, a person usually gave his version, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Prefixes or suffixes varied. They were optional as they passed through the centuries, or were adopted by different branches to signify either a political or religious adherence. Hence, there a many spelling variations of the name Les roys, including Roys, Roy, Roais, Roays, Roaiz, Roi, Rois, Le Roy, La Roy, Les Roys, Des Roys and many more.

Early Notables of the Les roys family

Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Les roys Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Les roys family

France finally gave land incentives for 2,000 migrants during the 1700s. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Les roys were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Les roys were G. B. Roys settled in San Francisco in 1850; J. Roys settled in San Francisco in 1852; Robert Royse settled with his wife, Elizabeth, in Massachusetts in 1630.



  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print


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