| ![Show Contents]() Roais History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
France
Etymology of RoaisWhat does the name Roais mean? The name Roais has a history dating as far back as the Middle Ages. It was a Bretonname for a person who acted the role of the king in local festivals, or who habitually put on regal airs. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word "rei", meaning king. Early Origins of the Roais familyThe surname Roais was first found in Brittany, where this eminent family held a family seat since ancient times. Pierre du Roaiz is recorded in the cartulary of the hospitaliers (Religious orders who care for the sick and destitute) of Puy in 1181. Due to his great contributions to his community, Jean Roays was granted knighthood in 1253 and in 1261. In 1357, Robert Roays rendered homage for his fief to the Baron of Solignac and then in 1457 Jean III Roays carried out the same act to the Viscount Joyeuse, Baron of Saint-Didier-en-Velay. From this family came Simonnet des Roys, Lord of Roys, co-Lord of Brignon and Magistrate and Captain of the military. Actively involved in the Crusades, Etienne and Gilbert Roys were honored with the title of the Knights of Malta for their valiant action. Valentin des Roys made a transaction with his brother on June 6, 1503, regarding the succession of their parents. From Valentin's marriage to Marie of Bourdelles, came the Marquis of Roys, the Lords of Eschandelys and the Barons of Enclos. In 1684, Jacques, Marquis of Roys, rendered homage to the King. Following his noble descendants was Claude Annet, First Page to Louis XV and to Louis XVI, Captain of the Dauphiné cavalry, who obtained Honours from the Court in 1785. Etienne, his son, Marquis of Roys, married Jenny Hoche, daughter of the famous General, in 1832, and their son, Ernest, was the Auditor, a member of the State Council and the Deputy of la Seine-Inférieure. One of the earliest records of the name Roy in Canada was with Etienne Roy, son of Mathurin and Marguerite (neé Bire) of La Rochelle. Etienne married Marguerite Navarre on 26th August 1669 and he died in Charlesbourg, Quebec and was buried on 1st March 1690. 1 Early History of the Roais familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roais research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Roais History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Roais Spelling VariationsFrench surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Roais is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Roys, Roy, Roais, Roays, Roaiz, Roi, Rois, Le Roy, La Roy, Les Roys, Des Roys and many more. Early Notables of the Roais familyAnother 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Roais Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Roais familyIn the 1700s, land incentives were finally given out by France to 2,000 migrants. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, Acadia were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Roais were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Roais were G. B. Roys settled in San Francisco in 1850; J. Roys settled in San Francisco in 1852; Robert Royse settled with his wife, Elizabeth, in Massachusetts in 1630.
- Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
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