Rhys
An anglicized spelling of the Welsh surname referring to enthusiasm or ardor.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Rhys. That puts it at #91,221 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Rhys surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#91,221
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
202
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 202 bearers of the surname Rhys in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 91221st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Rhys, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.2%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (4.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Rhys
The surname Rhys originates from Wales, where it has been documented since the medieval period. It is a Welsh patronymic name derived from the personal name Rhys, which is believed to have originated from the Old Welsh name Res or Ris. This name is thought to be related to the Old Welsh word "rhi," meaning "ardor" or "enthusiasm."
The earliest known recorded instances of the surname Rhys can be found in medieval Welsh manuscripts and records dating back to the 13th century. One notable historical reference is the 14th-century Welsh chronicle "Brut y Tywysogion," which mentions several individuals with the name Rhys.
In the late 13th century, a prominent Welsh leader named Rhys ap Gruffydd (c. 1232-1292) played a significant role in the struggles against English rule in Wales. He was the ruler of the Kingdom of Deheubarth and is considered one of the last native Welsh princes to hold significant authority.
Another notable figure with the surname Rhys was Sir Rhys ap Thomas (c. 1449-1525), a Welsh soldier and landholder who fought for Henry Tudor (later King Henry VII) at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. He was instrumental in securing the throne for the Tudor dynasty and was rewarded with lands and titles.
In the 18th century, Thomas Rhys (1708-1786) was a Welsh clergyman and author who wrote several works on Welsh history and antiquities, including "The Cambrian Register" and "The History of the Episcopal Palace at Abergwili."
During the 19th century, Sir John Rhys (1840-1915) was a renowned Welsh scholar and Celtic philologist who made significant contributions to the study of Celtic languages and literature. He served as the first principal of Jesus College, Oxford, and was knighted for his academic achievements.
The surname Rhys has also been associated with various place names in Wales, such as Rhyspennau and Rhysbont, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in different regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Rhys
Among Census respondents with the surname Rhys, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.2%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (4.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Rhys bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Rhys surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.2%
- Black or African American14.4%
- Hispanic or Latino4.5%
- Two or more races3.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Rhys surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #91,221 | #91,221 | 0.0% |
| Count | 202 | 202 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Rhys bearers went from 202 to 202 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #91,221 to #91,221.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Rhys
FAQ
Rhys surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Rhys?
The surname Rhys holds position #91,221 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Rhys surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Rhys, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.2%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (4.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.