indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from nickname)
Usage Scots
Meaning & History
The ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name MacRoy is a nickname for a person with red hair. MacRoy is a nickname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. The surname MacRoy comes from the Gaelic word ruadh, which means red. Thus, the original bearers of the surname MacRoy would have been known for their red hair, or possibly, a ruddy complexion.