Show ContentsRoisten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Roisten family

The surname Roisten was first found in South Yorkshire at Royston, now a village within the Metropolitan borough of Barnsley. Historically it was in the West Riding of Yorkshire, but was incorporated into the Metropolitan borough of Barnsley in 1974. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from Royston, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, partly in the hundred of Armingford, in Herefordshire. "This town derived its name from a cross erected in the highway here, in the reign of William the Conqueror, by the Lady Roysia, Countess of Norfolk: the cross was called Royse's Cross; and a monastery having been established shortly afterwards by Eustachius de Mere and others, which led to the erection of houses, the place acquired the appellation of Royse's Town, whence its present name. " 1 Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Royston, Ulchel an under tenant of Ilbert de Lacy, a great Norman noble who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Roisten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roisten research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1310, 1601, 1645, 1649 and 1686 are included under the topic Early Roisten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roisten Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Royston, Roysten, Royster, Roister, Roisten and many more.

Early Notables of the Roisten family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Royston (1601-1686), an English publisher and bookseller to King Charles I, Charles II and James II. He was charged by John Wright, parliamentary printer, on 31 July 1645, as being the 'constant factor for all scandalous books and papers against the proceedings of...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Roisten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Roisten family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Ann Royston, who arrived in Virginia sometime between 1673 and 1674; Jno Royston, who came to Virginia in 1674; James Royston, who settled in Maryland in 1678.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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