Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X, list of Scottish personal names).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ROY. Now common as a Christian name in Lowland Scot. (Sc. a.1790 Sc. Mus. Museum II. 352) and, more recently, in Eng., but orig. a Gael. nickname, from ruadh, red-haired, coming second after a Christian name as John Roy Stewart (Sc. 1746 Mem. J. Murray (S.H.S.) 446), Donald Roy MacDonald (Sc. 1746 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) II. 3), Daniel Roy Macpherson (Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck xi.).
