Contents [hide]

Roy History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Roy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Scotland

The name Roy 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 Roy family

The surname Roy 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 Roy family

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

Roy Spelling Variations

Throughout the course of history most surnames have undergone changes for many reasons. During the early development of the French language, a son and father may not have chosen to spell their name the same way. Many are simple spelling changes by a person who gave his name, phonetically, to a scribe, priest, or recorder. Many names held prefixes or suffixes which became optional as they passed through the centuries, or were adopted by different branches to signify either a political or religious adherence. Hence, we have many spelling variations of this name, Roy some of which are Roys, Roy, Roais, Roays, Roaiz, Roi, Rois, Le Roy, La Roy, Les Roys, Des Roys and many more.

Early Notables of the Roy family

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

Roy World Ranking

In the United States, the name Roy is the 446^th most popular surname with an estimated 62,175 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Roy is ranked the 5^th most popular surname with an estimated 90,417 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Roy is the 3^rd popular surname. 4 France ranks Roy as 63^rd with 36,435 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Roy as 868^th with 844 people. 6

Roy migration to the United States +

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Roy has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Roy were

Roy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Henry and Margaret Roy who settled in Virginia in 1637
Jacob Roy, aged 42, who landed in New York in 1647 7
Hugh Roy, who settled in Virginia in 1654
Christian Roy, who arrived in Maryland in 1673 7

Roy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel Roy, who landed in Jamestown, Va in 1700 7
Daniel Roy, who settled in Virginia in 1700
Jacques Roy, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1700 7
Bryan Roy, who landed in Virginia in 1705 7
Francois Roy, aged 30, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Roy, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Juan Bautista Roy, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 7
Mrs. Roy, aged 45, settled with her three children in New Orleans in 1821
George Roy, aged 26, who arrived in Barnstable, Massachusetts in 1822 7
James Roy, aged 24, who landed in Barnstable, Massachusetts in 1822 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Roy Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Benoit Roy, who arrived in Canada in 1632-1760
Hierosme Roy, who landed in Quebec in 1643
Mr. Jacques Roy, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 6th April 1643 8
Mr. Jérôme Roy, French labourer travelling to Canada to work for Guillaume Couillard, arriving on 9th April 1643 8
Mr. Jean Roy, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 4th April 1644 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edmond Roy, son of Michel and Françoise, who married Marie-Anne Janvier, daughter of Jean and Dorothée, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Quebec on 7th February 1701 9
Jean-Baptiste Roy, son of Nicolas and Jeanne, who married Claire Cadrin, daughter of Nicolas and Françoise, in Saint-Michel, Quebec on 17th October 1701 9
André Roy, son of Jean and Françoise, who married Jeanne Pladeau, daughter of Jean and Jeanne, in Montreal, Quebec on 9th May 1701 9
Étienne Roy, son of Nicolas and Marie-Madeleine, who married Marie Cassé, daughter of Joseph and Marie-Françoise, in Beaumont, Quebec on 18th November 1709 9
Alexis Roy, son of Nicolas and Marie-Madeleine, who married Madeleine Leclerc, daughter of Pierre and Isabelle, in Saint-Laurent-de-l'île-d'Orléans, Quebec on 20th July 1716 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Roy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Roy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Roy, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Jane Roy, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on December 14, 1835, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 11
John Roy, aged 22, a gardener, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Omega" 12
Miss Catherine Roy, (Jackson), Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duchess of Northumberland" on 25th November 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13

Roy migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Roy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Roy, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 14
Mr. Cyril Roy, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brothers" arriving in New Zealand in 1850 14
Mr. William Roy, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st June 1851 15
Mr. David Roy, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 30th July 1861 15
Miss Bessy Roy, (b. 1858), aged 17, Scottish nurse from Perth travelling from London aboard the ship "Waimate" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th December 1875 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Roy (post 1700) +

Travis Matthew Roy (1975-2020), American college ice hockey player, author and philanthropist, founder of The Travis Roy Foundation
David Tod Roy (1933-2016), American sinologist and scholar of Chinese literature
Vesta Roy (1925-2002), American politician and acting governor of New Hampshire 1982-1983
J Stapleton Roy (b. 1935), American (Chinese-born) diplomat and Asian affairs expert, US ambassador to Singapore 1984-1986
William Burton Le Roy, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Albany County 4th District, 1889, 1890 16
H. Eugene Le Roy, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 11th District, 1932 16
Michel de Roy (1948-2021), French writer from Orange, France
Bernard Roy (1934-2017), French mathematician, emeritus professor at the Université Paris-Dauphine
J Edmond Roy, French author who wrote the history of the domain of Lauzon
Subrata "Saharashri" Roy (1948-2023), Indian businessman who founded Sahara India Pariwar in 1978
... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Roy family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Ian A Roy (b. 1923), New Zealander Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Dunedin, New Zealand, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 17

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Roy, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942 18

Citations +

Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1835 with 132 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1835
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) OMEGA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Omega.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duchess-of-northumberland
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html