A Welsh and German surname, Roberts originally from a 7th century Germanic word. The given name ‘Hrodbeorht‘, joins the term ‘hrod‘, which means renown, with ‘beorht, which means bright or famous.

Roberts has several other spellings and surname forms which include , Robart, Robeken, Robb, Roberdes, Robins, Ropert, Robberts and Rupert.

In the Roberts surname is Luparti, in Germany it is Rubke and Ruppertz, in Flanders (Belgium) region it is written Rops and Rubbens, and in Scotland and England it is written Roberts and Robertson.

It is a very common surname in Wales, ranking sixth. Most with the Roberts surname live in Northern Wales. Many Roberts also live on the Isle of Man, between England and Ireland. In Scotland the county of Lanarkshire has the most Roberts. In England it is Lancashire county with the Roberts families. States of New York, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, Texas and California have the highest numbers of Roberts families. There are Roberts families in Canada and Australia.

Famous: David Thomas Roberts (early 20th century composer), Julia Roberts (actress), Gilroy Roberts (engraver for the U. S. Mint), Ian Roberts (actor in south Africa), Joseph J. Roberts (19thcentury - first President of Liberia in Africa), Keith Roberts (English science fiction writer), Pernell Roberts (actor) and Robin Roberts (TV news reporter).