Roil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

Etymology of Roil

What does the name Roil mean?

The ancestors of the Roil family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Kent. Their name, however, is a reference to Roisel, France. John Roiale, Normandy was registered in 1180-1195 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae) 1

The first records of the family was as a "personal name Galfrid Roille in Rotuli de Oblatis et Finibus, King John." 2

Early Origins of the Roil family

The surname Roil was first found in the Close Rolls where Bernard de Royl was listed in 1230. Later, William de Roille was found in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1290. 3

One source presumes that family is from "Ryle, in the manor of Etchells, in the parish of Northendon, Cheshire" 4 and the last roll entry may agree.

An early East Cheshire roll has the following entry: "Sir Nicholas de Eton ... concedes to Sir William de Baggylegh, knt. ... one hamlet... in the vill of Echeles, which is called Ruyhul ... which Richard de Ruyhul held ... c. 1318." 4

This source goes on "most of the Cheshire and Lancashire Royles and Ryles are sprung from this spot, including the late Bishop of Liverpool. In the form of Royle the surname has ramified very strongly." 4 "Royle is the name of an ancient mansion in Whalley parish, [Lancashire]." 5

Early History of the Roil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roil research. Another 304 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1230, 1290, 1551, 1574, 1603, 1609, 1661, 1669, 1734, 1826, 1831, 1833, 1855, 1858, 1878, 1881 and 1894 are included under the topic Early Roil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roil Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Royle, Royal, Royell, Royl, Roille, Riall, Ryle, Ryall, O'Riall and many more.

Early Notables of the Roil family

More information is included under the topic Early Roil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Roil family to Ireland

Some of the Roil family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roil migration to Canada +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Roil or a variant listed above:

Roil Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Henry Roil, a planter in Carbonear, Newfoundland in 1842

Roil migration to Australia +

Roil Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Roil, aged 45, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Bolton"
Mrs. Sarah Roil, aged 40, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Bolton"
Mr. Harry Roil, aged 20, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Bolton"
Ms Eliza Roil, aged 18, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Bolton"
Miss Harriet Roil, aged 14, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Bolton"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.