All surnames

English surname

Roberts

Son of Robert

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

Roberts is a patronymic meaning 'son of Robert'. Robert, from the Germanic hrod 'fame' and berht 'bright', was one of the most popular Norman given names and remained common throughout the Middle Ages. The '-s' ending is a genitive form equivalent to 'son of'.

The surname is particularly frequent in Wales and western England. Related forms include Robertson and Robson. Roberts remains one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Roberts mean?+

Son of Robert. From the Germanic name Robert ("bright fame") plus the patronymic "-s".

Is Roberts a common surname?+

Roberts is a English-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?+

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

Is my search logged?+

No account or personal details are required to look up a surname's meaning - this page is static reference content.