Name of the Week: Roy

 

Origin:

Roy is a given name derived from two distinct sources: Roy is found as an English surname . It was a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Roi -- most likely actually a byname (descriptive nickname) -- from the Old French roi king, chief." It has been suggested that it may have been used as a nickname for a person with a regal bearing, or a sporting victor.* Roy is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name Ruadh, from the Old Irish rúad "red, reddish." It is found as a medieval byname in Ireland and Scotland, most likely denoting a person with red hair.

Usage:

The Norman Roi/Roy has used since at least the 12th century. Roi de Scallebi can be found listed in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1188, while, as a surname, Adam le Roy is found in the Feet of Fines of Suffolk in 1268, and Simon Roy in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1279. Roy continued to be used in England into the 16th and 17th century small numbers, most likely thanks to adoption of the surname as a given name.  There are several instances of the Old Irish Rúad in use as a by name since at least the 11th century. There are seventy-eight citations found in the Irish Annals between 1039 to 1597.  One of the most famous bearers of this nickname is the Scottish legend Robert MacGregor (1671-1734) who was known as Rab Ruadh (Red Robert), or "Rob Roy" in English. Chief of the MacGregor Clan, Rob Roy became a prosperous cattle dealer who is said to have helped his neighbouring tenants who were unable to fend for themselves. When his chief herder defrauded him, he got on the wrong side of the Duke of Montrose and was made an outlaw. Several escapades ensued which were published during his lifetime in The Highland Rogue (1723), earning him the reputation as the "Scottish Robin Hood." Walter Scott further added to Robert MacGregor's fame in 1817 with his novel Rob Roy, which was a huge success. Several boys in Scotland and elsewhere around Britain where called "Robert Roy" -- especially if their surname was MacDonald! Data from the 1881 census shows that, as a given name, Roy was spread around Britain in use. Much of this was as a middle name, which was influenced by the surname.  The surname, however, was most common in Scotland, and this reflects the given name's usage when we look at population per 100,000 (see right). As a first name exclusively (not counting middle names), Roy took a while to increase in usage, but then exploded in popularity, as we can see from births in England and Wales: 1840s: 0 births 1850s: 3 births 1860s: 6 births 1870s: 58 births 1880s: 381 births 1890s: 1509 births 1900s: 3683 births By 1890, Roy reached #181 and by 1900 was #118.  By the 1870s, "Rob Roy" was put on as a play in many theatres across the county, which may have influenced the rise in the name.  Roy first reached the top 100 in 1914 at #64. It had a steep incline from that point to its peak at #17 in 1934, after which it fell down just as quickly, leaving the top 100 after 1964.  From 1996 to 2000, Roy steadily declined from #399 (53 births) to #751 (23 births). It has since plateaued, averaging between 20-30 births per year.  In Scotland, Roy was last in the top 100 (at #91) in 1975, after which it steadily declined. After 2003 it dropped below the top 500 (6 births) where it has also plateaued. In 2014, Roy ranked #1035 (27 births) in England and Wales, and #1258 (1 birth) in Scotland. It did not rank in Northern Ireland.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Robert MacGregor "Rob Roy" (1671-1734), Scottish folk hero. * Roy Chapman Andrews (1884–1960), American naturalist and explorer. * Roy Campbell (1901–1957), South African poet and satirist. * Roy Wilkins (1901-1981), American civil rights activist. * Roy Rogers (1911–1998) American Western film star. * Roy Castle (1932-1994), British dancer, singer, comedian, actor, television presenter and musician. * Roy Orbison (1936-1988), American singer-songwriter and musician. Contemporary: * Roy Hodgson (1947), British former football player and current manager of the England squad. * Roy Keane (1971), Irish former football player and current manager. Literature and Other Media: * Roy Race, protagonist of British comic strip, Roy of the Rovers. * Roy Harper, a superhero in the DC Comics universe.

Variants:

Ruadh (Gaelic)

Pronunciation:

ROY [key]

Possible Longer forms:

Royston, Leroy, Elroy, Conroy, Kilroy, Fitzroy

Sibling Names:

Edie     Vera     Olive     Hazel     Nora     Greta  Fred     Iain     Walter     Eric     Clive     Dean

Name Lists:

Funky-Clunky  Resurrected Retro  Red Names

 

If you like Roy you may also like:    Glenn, Ryan, Bryn, Ray, Ralph, Giles, Roland, Lyle, Craig, Guy

 

Thanks to Kirsti for requesting this post.