Surname Royles - Meaning and Origin

Royles: What does the surname Royles mean?

The surname Royles is of Anglo-Saxon origin and originated from the ancient English word "rohil," which means "roe-hill." It is a topographic surname given to a person who resided near a hill renowned for roe deer. The surname might also derive from various medieval English personal names, such as "Rolf" or "Rufus." As last names often acted as identifiers, one could speculate that an ancestor might have had red hair or a ruddy complexion, signified by "Rufus," or possesed traits associated with "Rolf," potentially referring to the Germanic meaning of "renown" or "wolf." Like other surnames, it may have shifted and changed in spelling over time and across regions. There are many recorded versions of the surname such as Royle, Ryle, Ryall, and Roille. The first recorded spelling of the family name, in its current spelling, is believed to be that of Robert Royles in the city of Chester in 1540. It's important to note the meaning and origin of surnames can be complex and multifaceted, tracing back hundreds, if not thousands, of years involving different cultures and languages. Interpretations should therefore be taken as speculative rather than definitively accurate.

Royles: Where does the name Royles come from?

The last name Royles is most commonly found in England today, particularly in the south east of the country. According to the 2018 United Kingdom census, the surname is most commonly found in in the counties of Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, and Essex. The highest concentration of Royles is within the county of Kent, followed by Surrey and Hampshire.

The Royles surname is thought to have originated in Normandy which was a part of the ancient kingdom of France. Records suggest the name derived from the local surname Ruell which was a toponymic name derived from any of the numerous places called Ruell or Royle in Normandy. In the 12th century, the de Royles family was recorded in Essex, in the Latin form of “de Roillo”.

In more recent centuries, those bearing the Royles surname have been spread across the world due to immigration from England. Today, the last name Royles can be found in many countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Despite its international reach, the last name Royles is still most prominent in the south east of England, with a long and interesting history connected to the Flemish migration to the country.

Variations of the surname Royles

The surname Royles is derived from the Old French “Roi”, meaning “king,” and is associated with royalty. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the Royles surname include Royel, Roylese, Royall, Rill, Riell, Ryel, Ryle, Rylee, Ryles, Royal, Royl, and Royll.

Royel is derived from the Latin “rex,” or “king,” and can be seen as an alternative spelling of Royles. Roylese is another variation of Royles, but can also be found as Ryles. Royall was once a form of the genealogical last name that was derived from Old French “royal,” or “royalty,” as another variation of Royles.

Rill and Riell are derivative spellings of Royles, derived from "Roial," or royalty. Ryel is another variant spelling of Royles, associated with those of royal descent. Ryle is an Old French spellling, while Rylee and Ryles tend to be modern day alternative spellings. Royl and Royll are the most commonly used versions of this surname today, particularly in the United Kingdom.

As the surname Royles is derived from the medieval rank of royalty, many of the variants spellings that are associated with this surname tend to reflect those of royal or prominent backgrounds. These alternative spellings have been used for multiple centuries to reflect this fact, and to differentiate between descendants of the Royles surname.

Famous people with the name Royles

• Kate Royles: actress and director known for her role in the Netflix series The Crown.
• Solange Royles: French actress who appeared in films such as The Wages of Fear and The Cranes Are Flying.
• Roy Royles: British actor and singer who had appearances in Torchwood and Horrible Histories.
• Jacob Royles: British actor and director, renowned for his role in the comedy-drama series, Peep Show.
• Sam Royles: Canadian actor and director who has had roles in films such as Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter.
• Paulette Royles: American actress, best known for her recurring role as Hannah Campbell on NBC's hit show, Parks and Recreation.
• Paul Royles: British comedian and actor who had appearances in shows like Miranda and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
• Gerard Royles: American actor, known for his role in the movie, The Family That Preys.
• Dion Royles: English actor and musician, primarily known for his part in the BBC TV series, EastEnders.
• Chris Royles: American artist and performer, best known as the lead singer of the punk rock band, The Dead Boys.

Other surnames

Royle