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![Show Contents]() Roys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Roys is an ancient Dalriadan-Scottish nickname for a person with red hair. Roys is a nickname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. The surname Roys comes from the Gaelic word ruadh, which means red. Thus, the original bearers of the surname Roys would have been known for their red hair, or possibly, a ruddy complexion. Early Origins of the Roys familyThe surname Roys was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they held a family seat from very early times, where some say before the Millenium. Early History of the Roys familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roys research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1488, 1527, 1550 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Roys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Roys Spelling VariationsTranslation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of Roys include Roy, Roys, Roye, Roi, McRoy and others. Early Notables of the Roys familyAnother 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Roys Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Roys family to Ireland
Some of the Roys family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Roys migration to the United States | + |
Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Roys or a variant listed above:
Roys Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- G. B. Roys, who settled in San Francisco in 1850
- J. Roys, who settled in San Francisco in 1852
| Roys migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Roys Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Cpl. Evan Roys Jr., U.E., (Rice, Roice, Roise, Roye) (b. 1761) born in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA from New Ashford, Massachusetts, USA who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 he served in the King's Royal Regiment of New York, married to Dorothy Smith having 8 children 1
- Private. Evan Roys Sr., U.E., (Rice, Roice, Roise, Roye) (b. 1732) born in Connecticut, USA from New Ashford, Massachusetts, USA who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 he enlisted in 1777 serving in the Loyal Volunteers and King's Royal Regiment of New York, married to Hannah having 8 children, he died in 1813 1
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Qua tendis
Motto Translation: Whither do you steer.
- Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
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Roys migration to the United States 
Roys migration to Canada 
England
France
Scotland
Ireland
