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Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: Patannie on Wednesday 02 November 11 16:34 GMT (UK)

Title: unusual first name
Post by: Patannie on Wednesday 02 November 11 16:34 GMT (UK)
My LEE family from cambridgeshire have my 3xgreatgrandad baptised with the first name of Royal . I even had an Uncle Royal. I have not found why this name was used but it has been suggested there is a connection to the Romany clan and that it was the royal family of the romanies. Can anyoneone tell me more about this the first Royal Lee's parents were Thomas Lee mother Margaret Hull, Thankyou
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 02 November 11 17:33 GMT (UK)
I don't know if there is a gypsy royal family or not. I believe that it exists in the imagination of a few gypsy families. When i lived in Doncaster, there seemed to be a funeral for the "King of the gypsies" every 18 months or so. A very high attrition rate I would think. Maybe someone from that community can publish the facts.
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: nanny jan on Wednesday 02 November 11 19:10 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Found this baptism:

Royal Lee,  8th September 1804,  Holy Trinity, Ely, Cambridgeshire.  Son of Thomas and Margaret.


1851 census:

Royal Lee (b 1807) Waterman with wife Jane (b 1803) and children John (17), William (12) and Caroline (10). Living at Back Lane, Ely Trinity, Ely.   All born Ely except Jane.

H0 107   1764   359   28

Possibly shown as Royer on 1841; same address and occupation.



Nanny Jan
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: jackiepb on Wednesday 02 November 11 20:40 GMT (UK)
I have seen the name Royal given to Traveller Hearns in Middx/ Watford , also seen it written as Riley. Hope that helps
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: Patannie on Thursday 03 November 11 09:45 GMT (UK)
Thankyou for your response. Well, so far I have had this name written correctly as Royal.shorted by my uncle to Roy. then  Royer,Ryer, Riall, Rial, and now maytbe Riley. Oh dear this makes it more confusing but thankyou. I'b be interested if anyone else out there has the name Royal in their ancestry.
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 03 November 11 10:09 GMT (UK)
1881 census has 84 people called Royal!

That rises to 232 in 1901!

So, maybe not so unusual?  ;D
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: rob g on Thursday 03 November 11 11:01 GMT (UK)
hi, patannie. i am a romany man. and my g.gmother was annie wilson, nee lee, we may be related way back! i can trace all my family back to around  1700, lees, smiths, millers, mitchells, dales varey and louther, and on it goes.i have travelled all my life, and so have  my sons. my mother was born in a bow top wagon, but i can honestly say there are no royalty in romany folk, it is just  something gorgio people came up with. the closest thing to any royal. connection would be a rai. as in romany rai (gypsy gent ) but thats it. allthough it makes for a good head line in the papers? there is no such thing as romany royalty. my uncle, dead years now. was however, a blood link to william marshall, last of the tinker kings in scotland. but again, not a real thing, just a kind of fair, crowning. like a gala queen. it seems that like when gorgios in america went to speak to a indian camp some one asked  for a chief. when in fact there was none! so when asking for the boss of a camp they way ask for the king/leader, when in fact there is no one gypsy higher or better then any other. so there you have it, hope it is a help, bye for now.  rob...
Title: Re: unusual first name
Post by: NettieS on Thursday 03 November 11 11:08 GMT (UK)


Hi,

There are about 8 family trees on the ancestry site with Royal Lee born about 1807 Ely Cambridgeshire and 15 on GRU.
Regards
Lyne