Surname Royko - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Royko: What does the surname Royko mean?
The surname Royko is of Eastern Slavic origin, particularly popular in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. The exact meaning of the last name is not clearly defined due to regional variations and changes over time. However, it is generally regarded to be derived from the personal name 'Roy', a short form of Rostislav, which is of Old Slavonic origin and means 'usurper of glory'. In some cultures, the suffix '-ko' is added to personal names to create patronymic surnames. Therefore, 'Royko' could mean 'son of Roy'. However, the interpretation of surnames is not an exact science and can be influenced by various factors including regional traditions, family history, and language evolution. The surname Royko is quite rare and is most famously associated with the late American journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist, Mike Royko.
Order DNA origin analysisRoyko: Where does the name Royko come from?
The surname Royko is most common in parts of Eastern Europe, particularly countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, and Poland. The name is derived from the Old Slavic “roj-i-ko”, meaning to “roar” or “roar loudly”, and is likely an occupational name for someone in an associated profession (e.g. hunter, brawler, etc.).
In the United States, Royko has been found to be relatively common over the past few centuries, with many original bearers having arrived as early settlers to the country. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, many Royko immigrants have settled in the country, particularly in states on the East Coast such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The name has also been spotted in more recent times in California, Texas, and Florida.
At present, there are still many Royko families residing in various parts of the United States, with the majority of them now having mixed ethnic backgrounds. While this does mean that Royko is no longer a particularly common surname, it is nonetheless to be found in many American communities today.
Variations of the surname Royko
The surname Royko is of Slavic origin, derived from the root word ‘roy’ meaning rule or regal. Variants of the surname include Roiko, Royok, Roiky, Royyko, Roycke, Roicke, Roice, Roicek, Roycek, Royke, Royts, Roytske, Roits, Roitse, Roitz, Royce, Roicek and Royied. Spellings of the surname include Reyko, Raiko, Reiko, Reyok, Reyky, Raeiko, Reayko, Raiko, Roykie, Roykoe, Rykyo, Ryki, Ryko, Ryke, Rayko, Ryckie, Rycke, Ryckee, Ryeckie, Reylicke, Raylieck, Raylcke, Raylick and Raylicke.
Surnames of similar origin include Royce, Roi, Roizer, Rojewski, Rojek, Roys, Royter, Royke, Royz, Rojas, Royzak, Rohacek, Rožič, Rožman, Royeca, Rožiger, Roysyak, Royzor, Royšek, Royter, Roycer, Royers and Royale.
Variants and spellings of the surname Royko are often dependent on regional or national variant language use and pronunciation of the name throughout its diaspora. For example, in areas where the Latin alphabet is used, the common spelling could be Royko. In places where the Cyrillic alphabet is the dominant script, Royko would likely be spelled with Cyrillic letters – Ройко. In other parts of the Slavic speaking world, the surname could be spelled using the Latin alphabet with appropriate diacritical marks – Roýko or Röyko.
Famous people with the name Royko
- Mike Royko: American Newspaper Columnist, Author and Humorist
- Bernard Royko: Canadian Painter
- Robert Royko: American Playwright, Director, and Author
- Anatoliy Serhiyovych Royko: Soviet Linguist and Philologist
- Srećko Royko: Croatian Writer, Literary Critic, and Essayist
- Walter Royko: Slovak Painter and Graphic Designer
- Branko Royko: Serbian Painter
- Danice Royko: Czech Painter
- Siobhán Royko Maurer: American Musician
- Alexis Royko: Polish-American Artist
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Royko"
28.07.2024
Famous Canadian folk singer Roman Royko
And his father Alexander from Ukraine who sang in the Cossack choir