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See also: royal



A habitational surname, shaped by folk etymology, from places in England, Riehale, Righale, Ryhill and Ryall, Old English ryge (rye) + hyll (hill), and Royle, (roe) + hyll (hill).

Proper noun[edit]


  1. A surname​.
    • 1974 Patrick White, Five-Twenty, Shorter Novels and Stories, Cape 1974, ISBN 0224009923, page 173
      Royal - he had been his mother's little king. Most of his mates called him "Roy". Perhaps only her and Mrs Natwick had stuck to the christened name, they felt it suited.


Royal (plural Royals)

  1. (soccer) someone connected with Reading Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.
  2. A person in a royal family, as the Prince of Wales.



  1. Used in terms of address or reference to members of a royal family.
  2. (UK, by extension) Used in the names of organisations within the British government, as, the Royal Navy, Royal Mail.