All surnames

English surname

Roberts

Son of Robert

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

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

More English surnames

SmithTaylorBakerCooperCarterTurner

Give the Roberts name a real family story

Build a family tree with everyone's actual names, photos and relationships. Free to start, no sign-up required.

Build your family tree

Free forever · No email required to start

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.