Surname Roberts - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Origins of the Roberts Surname Through iGENEA DNA Testing: An Insightful Journey into My Ancestral Past
The DNA test conducted by iGENEA was non-invasive and straightforward, employing a comprehensive DNA testing strategy. The results were consistent and accurate, aligning with my known familial history and illuminating many interesting facts about the Roberts surname, its origin, and its dispersion.
I. Roberts
read moreRoberts: What does the surname Roberts mean?
The last name Roberts is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is patronymic, meaning it is derived from the baptismal name of the father. It signifies 'the son of Robert,' wherein Robert is a compound of two German words - 'hrod,' meaning 'renown,' and 'berht,' meaning 'famous.' Therefore, the name Robert itself means 'fame-bright' or 'one who is brightly famous'. This name gained popularity due to Robert, the Duke of Normandy, and Robert 'the Bruce', King of Scotland. Over the years, various versions of this surname have emerged, including Robertson, Robarts, and Robbins. As with many medieval surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of personal names, Roberts is believed to have appeared first in the county of Denbighshire, North Wales. Today, it is prevalent throughout English-speaking countries. However, the name, being centuries old, may have different meanings in different cultures and jurisdictions.
Order DNA origin analysisRoberts: Where does the name Roberts come from?
The surname Roberts is derived from the given name Robert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame". The name was popularized by the Normans in England during the Middle Ages following William the Conqueror's invasion.
The surname formation follows the patronymic tradition where the 's' at the end of Roberts symbolizes "son of", thus Roberts refers to "son of Robert". This patronymic naming convention was prevalent in many European countries during the Middle Ages.
Today, Roberts is a common surname in several English-speaking countries. According to recent census data, it's particularly prevalent in Wales, ranking 4th most common. In England, it’s the 45th most common surname. It also ranks high in Australia, the United States, and New Zealand. Notably, in the United States, Roberts is most common in the states of Utah and Wyoming.
Famous celebrities like Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, and Tanya Roberts; and historical figures such as Bartholomew Roberts, influential Welsh Pirate, have helped in popularizing this surname globally.
Variations of the surname Roberts
The surname Roberts has variants and similar surnames that share a common origin. It's derived from the given name Robert, a name of Germanic origin that means "bright fame". This became popular in England and Western Europe after the Norman conquest. Variations and alternative spellings of the name Roberts include Robert, Robertson, Robarts, Robb, Robbins, Robin, Robins, Robinson, Robson, and Robison.
In different languages, the name Robert has also been adapted into different forms, often used as a surname. For example, it is Roberti in Italian, Roberto in Spanish and Portuguese, Roberteau in French, and Robrecht in Dutch. Moreover, localized spellings of the surname in other languages include Ruprecht in German, Roibéard in Irish, and Raibeart in Scottish Gaelic.
Some surnames may also be considered as a mere modified version of Roberts, such as Robers or Robarts. Additionally, "ap Robert", a Welsh patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert", was also shortened to Probert or Pritchard in many instances.
It should be noted that while these names share a similar root, they may not necessarily share an identical cultural or genealogical history.
Famous people with the name Roberts
- Julia Roberts: Academy Award winning actress who rose to international fame with her performance in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990). She’s known for her beauty and witty charm, as well as her versatility in roles across different genres.
- Eric Roberts: Academy Award nominated actor and brother of Julia Roberts, most widely known for his pivotal performance in 1985’s Runaway Train.
- Emma Roberts: Actress, model and singer, daughter of Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts. Emma became widely known for her roles in films such as Nancy Drew and Scream 4.
- Patricia Roberts Harris: Second African-American Minister/Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. She also became the first African-American female U.S. Ambassador.
- Philip Roberts: Global strategist with a career spanning some of the most influential organizations in the world, from Goldman Sachs to the Brookings Institute.
- Richard Roberts: President of Oral Roberts University, ordained minister and son of the television evangelist Oral Roberts.
- Eric Paul Roberts: Singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor, based in Los Angeles.
- Emma Roberts: Film producer, actor and business person, wife of Eric Roberts, and founder of Abacost Productions.
- Eric Michael Roberts: Actor, best known for portraying Big Mike in the drama Stand By Me (1986).
- David Roberts: International peace negotiator hailed for his work in Kosovo. He is currently the Executive Director of the International Crisis Group.