Royer first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Royer has been for the last 32 years (from 1992 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Royer

A masculine name likely of French origin meaning "little king."

Popularity of Royer by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Royer is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Royer.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 10 0
2022 14 0
2021 12 0
2020 5 0
2019 10 0
2018 7 0
2017 10 0
2016 10 0
2015 12 0
2014 13 0
2013 11 0
2012 8 0
2011 7 0
2010 8 0
2009 11 0
2008 5 0
2007 7 0
2006 7 0
2005 7 0
2004 6 0
2003 13 0
2002 8 0
2001 7 0
2000 6 0
1998 8 0
1996 9 0
1995 12 0
1994 11 0
1993 11 0
1992 20 0

The history of the first name Royer

The name Royer is believed to have originated from the Old French word "roier," which means "to roll" or "to turn." This name likely emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century, in the northern regions of France.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Royer can be found in the medieval French epic poem "La Chanson de Roland" (The Song of Roland), written in the late 11th century. In this work, Royer is mentioned as the name of a knight in Charlemagne's army.

During the Middle Ages, the name Royer was primarily associated with individuals involved in occupations related to rolling or turning, such as wheelwrights, millers, or potters. It was a common name among artisans and craftsmen in medieval France.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Royer, Roier, Rouyer, and Rouier. These variations were influenced by regional dialects and linguistic evolutions.

One notable figure in history who bore the name Royer was Jean-Baptiste Royer, a French painter and engraver who lived from 1669 to 1741. He was renowned for his historical and mythological paintings and was a member of the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture.

Another individual with the name Royer was Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer, a French architect and urban planner who lived from 1705 to 1785. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Paris, including the Hôtel de Salm and the Église Saint-Roch.

In the 19th century, Léon Royer, a French politician and historian, played a significant role in the French Third Republic. He lived from 1808 to 1887 and served as the Minister of Justice and Minister of Public Instruction.

Alphonse Royer, a French writer and playwright, was also born in the 19th century (1803-1890). He is best known for his translations of Shakespeare's works into French and his contributions to the development of French literature.

More recently, in the 20th century, Royer was the surname of Pauline Royer, a French actress and singer who lived from 1925 to 2003. She had a successful career in theater, film, and television, and was recognized for her versatility and talent.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Royer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Royer, please contact us.

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"Royer first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 8, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/royer-meaning-and-history/.

"Royer first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/royer-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 8 May, 2025

Royer first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/royer-meaning-and-history/.

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