What does the surname Roy mean?

The surname Roy means "King or a royal person.". It is of French, English origin.

How common is the Roy surname?

There are approximately 30,000 people with the surname Roy in the United States.

Are there Roy soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 564 soldiers with the Roy surname appear in Civil War records.

Roy

Descriptive

Meaning

King or a royal person.

Etymology

Derived from Old French 'roi' meaning king, originally used as a nickname for someone who played the role of king or had regal bearing. The term comes from Latin 'rex' meaning king.

About the Roy Surname

A French-origin surname referring to royalty or kingly bearing, popularized as a given name and surname. It remains common across English-speaking countries.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 30,000 bearers in the United States #715 most common surname

Rare Common

Found in France, England, and English-speaking countries worldwide.

Roy Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Roy Surname

Alphonse Roy

Quick Facts

Origin: French, English
Classification: Descriptive
Earliest Record: Medieval France
Estimated Bearers: 30,000

War Records

564 soldiers with the Roy surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →

Roy