Find out how popular the last name Roya is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Roya.

Roya, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Roya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Roya in America

Roya is the 100302nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Roya surname appeared 180 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Roya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Roya to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Roya

The surname ROYA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of modern-day Pakistan and northern India. It traces its roots back to the 7th century AD, when it was likely derived from the Sanskrit word "राजा" (raja), meaning "king" or "ruler."

In its earliest forms, the name was often spelled as "Raya" or "Raiya," reflecting the phonetic variations of the time. As the name spread across the region, it underwent further transformations, ultimately evolving into the more widely recognized spelling of "ROYA."

Historical records suggest that the name ROYA was initially associated with individuals who held positions of authority or were members of the ruling classes. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the 11th-century Persian epic poem, the Shahnameh, which mentions a character named Raya.

During the Mughal Empire, which ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th centuries, the name ROYA gained further prominence. Several notable figures from this period bore the surname, including Raya Khan (1605-1659), a military commander who served under Emperor Shah Jahan, and Raya Singh (1670-1732), a renowned poet and scholar.

As the name spread beyond its region of origin, it underwent various adaptations and transformations. In parts of northern India, for instance, the name took on the form "Rai," which was often used as a title of respect or nobility.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname ROYA was Roya Mayhew (1901-1988), a British actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and stage productions during the early 20th century. Another notable figure was Roya Asadi (1927-2017), an Iranian artist and activist who played a significant role in promoting women's rights and artistic expression in her country.

In more recent history, the name ROYA has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. For example, Roya Mohadjer (born 1975) is an Afghan-American author and activist known for her work on women's rights and refugee issues, while Roya Samadhi (born 1980) is a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer.

While the surname ROYA has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world, reflecting the cultural and historical connections between different regions. Despite its widespread distribution, the name continues to carry the echoes of its storied past, serving as a testament to the rich tapestry of human civilization.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Roya

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Roya.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Roya was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Roya has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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