Show ContentsReix History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Reix

What does the name Reix mean?

The name Reix 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 Reix family

The surname Reix 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 Reix family

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

Reix Spelling Variations

Changes of spelling have occurred in most surnames. The earliest explanation is that during the early development of the French language, names were not yet fixed in spelling. Usually a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. This depended on accent, and local accents frequently changed the spelling of a name. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there are some spelling variations of the name Reix, including Roys, Roy, Roais, Roays, Roaiz, Roi, Rois, Le Roy, La Roy, Les Roys, Des Roys and many more.

Early Notables of the Reix family

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

Reix Ranking

France, the name Reix is the 4,968th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Reix family

Approximately 110 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. France gave land incentives for 2,000 migrants during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. Migration to New France (Quebec) continued from France until it fell in 1759. In the year 1675 the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The distinguished family name Reix has made significant contributions to the culture, arts, sciences and religion of France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Reix 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
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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