UK surname
An archaic English surname derived from the French word "roi" meaning king or ruler.
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Royes surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wilcot, North Newton, Bedford St Paul and Eynesford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Royes is 116 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 233.3%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1891
116 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Royes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Royes surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 8 | #31,867 |
| 1861 | historical | 115 | #18,880 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 116 | #21,766 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 29 | #30,190 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 35 | #34,554 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 38 | #34,555 |
| 2005 | modern | 40 | #34,562 |
| 2006 | modern | 47 | #34,335 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 47 | #34,989 |
| 2012 | modern | 43 | #35,224 |
| 2013 | modern | 46 | #35,110 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wilcot, North Newton, Bedford St Paul, Eynesford, Kildwick and Beverley St Martin and St Nicholas. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilcot, North Newton | Wiltshire |
| 2 | Bedford St Paul | Bedfordshire |
| 3 | Eynesford | Kent |
| 4 | Kildwick | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Beverley St Martin and St Nicholas | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Royes surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Royes, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Royes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Royes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Royes is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Royes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Royes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Royes is of Anglo-Norman origin and derives from the Middle English word "roy" or "roi", meaning king. This name is believed to have originated in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Royes can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Roi" and "Rois". It is likely that these entries referred to individuals who held positions of authority or were connected to the royal court in some way.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Royes was prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Kent, Essex, and Suffolk. Some variations in spelling included Royes, Roys, Royse, and Royse.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname Royes was Sir John Royes (c. 1330-1399), a prominent English soldier and landowner who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was knighted for his service and held lands in Kent and Essex.
Another individual of note was Thomas Royes (c. 1490-1554), a clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Bangor and later as the Bishop of Carlisle during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI.
In the 16th century, the Royes family established themselves in the county of Warwickshire, where they owned substantial estates. One member of this branch was Sir William Royes (1545-1616), a wealthy landowner and member of parliament for Warwickshire.
The surname Royes also has connections to various place names, such as Royston in Hertfordshire, which is believed to have derived from the Old English words "Roys" and "tun", meaning "the king's town".
Another noteworthy figure was Sir John Royes (1608-1677), a prominent English royalist who fought for King Charles I during the English Civil War. He was knighted for his loyalty and service to the Crown.
Throughout its history, the surname Royes has been associated with individuals of influence, authority, and social standing, reflecting its royal connotations and origins from the Norman period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Royes surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 8 Royes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.86x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 8 | 31.86x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 6.54x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 1.08x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 3.68x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 4.01x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 53.76x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.65x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Somerton in Somerset leads with 6 Royes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerton | 6 | 6000.00x |
| Clifton | 2 | 129.03x |
| Manchester | 2 | 24.04x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 66.67x |
| Gainsborough | 1 | 169.49x |
| Kingweston | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 62.89x |
| Taunton St Mary | 1 | 217.39x |
| Upper Hallam | 1 | 769.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Royes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Royes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Royes households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| AB | 1 |
| Agricultural Laborer | 1 |
| Butler (C) | 1 |
| Coachman Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Employed At Col Factory | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Private | 1 |
| Sempstress | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Royes surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Royes a modern rank of #34,889.
An archaic English surname derived from the French word "roi" meaning king or ruler.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Royes bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.