Royce is an English surname and masculine given name of Norman origin, derived from the Old French word 'ruiz', meaning 'from the grove'. It was initially a nickname used to describe someone who lived near a grove or wooded area. The name gained prominence in medieval England during the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Today, Royce is more commonly found as a surname, but it remains an occasional given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
"The name Royce saw a significant peak in popularity between the years 1942 and 1967, with over 40 births annually during this period. However, it experienced a steady decline thereafter, dropping to single digits by the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, its usage has fluctuated but generally remained low, with some years seeing fewer than five births. The total number of births recorded for the name Royce over this period is 2454."