The Scottish surname Roy is of nickname origin being derived from the Gaelic term Ruadh, meaning “red.” The original bearer of the name would have been known for their red hair or ruddy complexion The Roy family is a sept belonging to Clan MacGregor.  Moritius Roy was witness in Perth during the reign of James II of Scotland, and John Roy was sheriff of Inverness (1563). The most famous bearer of the name was Rob Roy MacGregor the Scottish folk hero and outlaw from the early 18th Century.