Rhys or Rhŷs is a popular

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, of or about Wales * Welsh language, spoken in Wales * Welsh people, an ethnic group native to Wales Places * Welsh, Arkansas, U.S. * Welsh, Louisiana, U.S. * Welsh, Ohio, U.S. * Welsh Basin, during t ...

given name (usually male) that is famous in Welsh history and is also used as a surname. It originates from

Deheubarth Deheubarth (; , thus 'the South') was a regional name for the Welsh kingdoms, realms of south Wales, particularly as opposed to kingdom of Gwynedd, Gwynedd (Latin: ''Venedotia''). It is now used as a shorthand for the various realms united under ...

, an old region of South West Wales, with famous kings such as

Rhys ap Tewdwr Rhys ap Tewdwr (c. 1040 – 1093) was a king of Deheubarth in Wales and member of the Dinefwr dynasty, a branch descended from Rhodri the Great. Following the Norman Conquest, he had to pay William the Conqueror to keep his kingdom, which lasted ...

. It is pronounced in

North Wales North Wales ( ) is a Regions of Wales, region of Wales, encompassing its northernmost areas. It borders mid Wales to the south, England to the east, and the Irish Sea to the north and west. The area is highly mountainous and rural, with Snowdon ...

, in

South Wales South Wales ( ) is a Regions of Wales, loosely defined region of Wales bordered by England to the east and mid Wales to the north. Generally considered to include the Historic counties of Wales, historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire ( ...

, and in English. Anglicised forms of the name include

Reece Reece derives from the Welsh name Rhys. It may refer to: * Reece (name), people with the given name or surname * Reece, Kansas, United States, an unincorporated community * Mount Reece, Antarctic Peninsula * Reece Valley, Queen Maud Land, Antartic ...

, Rees, Reese and

Rice Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...

People with the given name

History

Rhys ap Gruffydd Rhys ap Gruffydd or ap Gruffudd (often anglicised to "Griffith"; c. 1132 – 28 April 1197) was the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales from 1155 to 1197. Today, he is commonly known as The Lord Rhys, in Welsh ''Yr Arglwydd Rhys' ...

(1132–1197), 12th-century ruler of southern Wales *

Sir Rhys ap Gruffydd Sir Rhys ap Gruffydd or Rhys ap Gruffudd ( 1283–1356),Griffiths also known as 'Syr Rhys', Rhys Hen ('the elder') or Rhys Griffith, was the wealthiest nobleman in 14th-century Wales. He was the most prominent of the native supporters of the Eng ...

(died 1356), 14th-century Welsh nobleman *

Rhys ap Gruffydd (rebel) Rhys ap Gruffydd (1508 – December 1531) was a powerful Welsh landowner who was accused of rebelling against King Henry VIII by plotting with James V of Scotland to become Prince of Wales. He was executed as a rebel. He married Lady Katherine ...

(1508–1531), executed 16th-century Welsh landowner *

(died 1093), 11th-century prince of southern Wales *

Rhys ap Thomas Sir Rhys ap Thomas (1449–1525) was a Welsh soldier and landholder who rose to prominence during the Wars of the Roses, and was instrumental in the victory of Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth. He remained a faithful supporter of Henry ...

(1449–1525), a Welsh soldier and landholder who was instrumental in the victory of Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field * Rhys Lewis (born 1532), MP for New Radnor Boroughs October 1553 and 1558 * Rhys Hooe (c. 1599 – after 1655), Virginia colonist from Wales

20th and 21st centuries

Rhys Bobridge Rhys Bobridge, also known as Rhys, is an Australian pop singer, dancer and make-up artist based in Sydney. Early life Bobridge started gymnastics at seven years of age, which led him to attending classes at Johnny Young Talent School, alongside ...

(born 1981), Australian singer and dancer *

Rhys Chatham Rhys Chatham (born September 19, 1952) is an American composer, guitarist, trumpet player, multi-instrumentalist (flutes in C, alto and bass, keyboard), primarily active in avant-garde and minimalist music. He is best known for his "guitar orche ...

(born 1952), American avant-garde "guitar orchestra" composer * Rhys (singer) (Rhys Clarstedt, born 1997), Swedish-American singer *

Rhys Coiro Rhys Coiro (born March 12, 1979) is an American actor. He began acting on Broadway but is best known for on-screen roles such as Billy Walsh on the television series '' Entourage''. Early life Coiro studied theater at Carnegie Mellon University, ...

(born 1979), American film actor and singer *

Rhys Dakin Rhys Dakin (born 7 December 2004) is an Australian gridiron football punter for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Early life and high school Dakin attended high school at Mazenod College located in Mulgrave, Victoria. Coming out of high school, he attende ...

(born 2004), Australian-American football player *

Rhys Darby Rhys Montague Darby (born 21 March 1974) is a New Zealand actor and comedian. He is known for his energetic physical comedy routines, telling stories accompanied with mime, and sound effects of things such as machinery and animals. He was nomin ...

(born 1974), stand-up comedian from New Zealand * Rhys Davies (born 1985), Welsh golfer *

Rhys Day Rhys Day (born 31 August 1982) is a Welsh former professional footballer who last played as a central defender for Conference North side Hyde. He was capped several times for the Wales under-21 team and played for Blackpool, Mansfield Town, A ...

(born 1982), Welsh footballer *

Rhys Evans Rhys Karl Evans (born 27 January 1982) is an English former professional footballer and goalkeeper coach. He played as a goalkeeper, who won two England under-21 caps. Born in Swindon, Wiltshire, he began his career with Chelsea, where he st ...

(born 1982), English footballer *

Rhys Frake-Waterfield Rhys Frake-Waterfield (born ) is a British filmmaker who became known for his 2023 independent horror film '' Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey'' and its 2024 sequel. It was the first theatrical film of his career, as well as the first for his co ...

, English filmmaker *

Rhys Fulber Nowell Rhys Fulber (born October 10, 1970) is a Canadian electronic musician and producer. He is a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium, along with Bill Leeb. He also records under his own name and under the name Conjure One. Biograph ...

(born 1970), Canadian musician (

Front Line Assembly Front Line Assembly (FLA) is a Canadian electro-industrial band formed by Bill Leeb in 1986 in music, 1986 after leaving Skinny Puppy. FLA has developed its own sound incorporating elements of electronic body music and electro-industrial. The ba ...

) *

Rhys Gemmell Rice Thomas Hopkins Gemmell (1896–1972) was an Australian tennis player. Born in Caulfield, Victoria, by 1916 he was living in Claremont, Western Australia and was enlisted in World War I as a bombardier. Gemmell is best known for winning th ...

(1896–1972), Australian tennis player *

Rhys Hanbury Rhys Hanbury (born 27 August 1985) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Widnes Vikings in the Super League. He previously played for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL). Hanbury ...

(born 1985), Australian rugby league footballer * Rhys Hoskins (born 1993), American professional baseball player * Rhys Huber (born 1986), Canadian voice actor *

Rhys Hughes Rhys Henry Hughes (born 1966, Cardiff, Wales) is a Welsh fantasy writer and essayist. Career Born in Cardiff, Hughes has written in a variety of forms, from short stories to novels. His long novel ''Engelbrecht Again!'' is a sequel to Maur ...

(born 1966), Welsh writer *

Rhys Ifans Rhys Owain Evans (; born 22 July 1967), known as Rhys Ifans, is a Welsh actor. He has portrayed roles in ''Notting Hill'' (1999), '' Kevin & Perry Go Large'' (2000), and '' Enduring Love'' (2004), in addition to Xenophilius Lovegood in ''Harry ...

(born 1967), Welsh actor *

Rhys Isaac Rhys Llywelyn Isaac (20 November 1937 – 6 October 2010) was a South African-born Australian historian of American history who also worked in the United States. Isaac and his twin brother Glynn were born in Cape Town, South Africa, to Wi ...

, professor * Rhys James, English comedian *

Rhys Jones (disambiguation) Rhys Jones or ''variation'', may refer to: Given and last name *Rhys Jones (archaeologist) Rhys Maengwyn Jones (26 February 1941 – 19 September 2001) was a Welsh-Australian archeologist. Biography Jones was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog, ...

, the name of several people * Rhys Jenkins (born 1990), rugby union player *

Rhys Millen Rhys Rodney Millen (born 6 September 1972) is a New Zealand-born racing driver. Nephew of IMSA GTS driver Steve Millen, son of Rodney and older brother of Ryan, is one of the America's top competitors in drifting. Prior to that he was a to ...

(born 1972), car racer *

Rhys Muldoon Rhys Muldoon (born 17 October 1965) is an Australian actor, writer and director who has worked extensively in film, television, music, theatre and radio. He has had leading and recurring roles in series such as '' Chances'', ''The Genie from Do ...

(born 1965), Australian actor *

Rhys Nicholson Rhys Nicholson (born 22 April 1990) is an Australian comedian and actor known for being a judge on '' Drag Race Down Under'' from 2021 onwards. Career In 2011, Nicholson featured in the ABC documentary ''GayCrashers'', alongside Joel Creasey, ...

(born 1990), Australian comedian and actor * Rhys Oakley (born 1980), Wales international rugby union player * Rhys Palmer (born 1989), Australian rules footballer * Rhys Patchell Welsh rugby union player *

Rhys Priestland Rhys Priestland (born 9 January 1987) is a Welsh international rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Cardiff Rugby and the Wales national team. Although he primarily plays as a fly-half, he is also capable of playing at full-back. Bo ...

(born 1987), Welsh rugby union player *

Rhys Rhys-Williams Sir Rhys Rhys-Williams, 1st Baronet, (20 October 1865 – 29 January 1955), born Rhys Williams, was a British Liberal Party politician from Wales. He later left the Liberal Party for the Conservatives.''The Times'', 31 January 1955 Family Rhys- ...

(1865–1955), British Liberal Party politician * Rhys Stanley (born 1990), Australian rules footballer * Rhys Taylor (born 1990), Welsh footballer *

Rhys Thomas (comedian) Rhys Thomas (born 12 December 1978) is a British director, producer, actor, comedian and writer. He is most famous for writing, directing and creating the multi award winning BBC/NBC Comedy drama series ''Dodger (TV series), Dodger'', a preque ...

(born 1978), English comedian and actor * Rhys M. Thomas (born 1982), Welsh international rugby union player *

Rhys Wakefield Rhys Wakefield is an Australian actor and director, known for his roles in Australian TV series ''Home and Away'', the feature film ''The Black Balloon'' (2008) and in season 3 of HBO's ''True Detective'' in 2019. Wakefield's debut feature f ...

(born 1988), Australian actor * Rhys Webb (born 1988), Welsh rugby union player * Rhys Wesser (born 1979), Australian professional rugby league footballer * Rhys Williams (rugby union, born 1980), Welsh rugby player * R. H. Williams (rugby union) (1930–1993), Welsh rugby player

People with the middle name or compound last name

Arthur Rhys-Davids Arthur Percival Foley Rhys-Davids, (26 September 1897 – 27 October 1917) was an English flying ace of the First World War. Rhys-Davids was born in 1897 to a distinguished family. His father was a professional academic and his mother a prolif ...

(1897–1917), British flying ace * Brandon Rhys-Williams (1927–1988), British Conservative Party politician *

Griff Rhys Jones Griffith Rhys Jones (born 16 November 1953) is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and television presenter. He starred in a number of television series with his comedy partner, Mel Smith. He and Smith came to national attention in the 1980s for ...

(born 1953), Welsh comedian and presenter *

John Rhys-Davies John Rhys-Davies (born 5 May 1944) is a Welsh actor known for portraying Gimli (Middle-earth), Gimli in The Lord of the Rings (film series), ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy and Sallah in the ''Indiana Jones'' franchise. He has received three ...

(born 1944), Welsh actor *

John Rhys Davies (priest) John Rhys Davies (born John Rees Davies; 11 November 1890 – 27 January 1953) was a Welsh Anglican priest of the Church in Wales, he served as List of Archdeacons of Merioneth, Archdeacon of Merioneth from 1952 until his sudden death in January ...

, Welsh Anglican priest * John Rhys Plumlee (born 2001), American football quarterback for the University of Central Florida Knights *

Micael Rhys Bennett Micael is a name. Given name *Micael Babo (born 1993), Portuguese footballer *Micael Bennett (born 1965), Broadcast announcer * Micael Bindefeld (born 1959), Swedish event organizer *Micael Bydén (born 1964), Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed ...

(born 1965), Native American broadcast announcer *

Jonathan Rhys Meyers Jonathan Rhys Meyers (born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keeffe; 27 July 1977) is an Irish actor. He is known for his roles in the films '' Michael Collins'' (1996), '' Velvet Goldmine'' (1998), ''Titus'' (1999), ''Bend It Like Beckham'' (2002), ' ...

(born 1977), Irish actor * Samaire Rhys Armstrong, (born 1980), American actress *

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones; 20 January 1965) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, the youngest sibling of King Charles III. Sophie grew up in Brenchley, ...

, (born Sophie Rhys-Jones; 1965) member of the British royal family * Tim Rhys-Evans (born 1972), Welsh musician *

T. Rhys Thomas Thomas Rhys Thomas (born 23 April 1982 in Abercynon, Wales) is a former Wales International rugby player. His usual position was at hooker. Thomas made a try-scoring debut for the Cardiff Blues against Celtic Warriors on 27 December 2003. He ma ...

, Wales international rugby union player *

(1865–1955), British Liberal Party politician

People with the surname

Beti Rhys Beti Rhys (2 April 1907 – 5 April 2003) was a Welsh bookseller and author who promoted literature in the Welsh language in South Wales in the 1950s and 1960s. Educated at the Howell's School, Llandaff, where a policy was enacted to bar anyone ...

, (1907–2003), Welsh bookstore owner and author *

Elen Rhys Elen Rhys (born 2 September 1983) is a Welsh actress, known for her roles as Gwen in the 2011 film ''Panic Button'' and Miranda Blake in the BBC drama ''The Mallorca Files ''The Mallorca Files'' is a British police procedural television drama ...

, (born 1983), Welsh actress *

Elspeth Rhŷs Elspeth Hughes-Davies, Lady Rhŷs (26 May 1841 – 29 April 1911), known also as Elspeth Rhŷs, was a Welsh people, Welsh teacher, linguist, and campaigner for women's suffrage and education. Education and career Hughes-Davies began her career ...

(Elspeth Hughes-Davies), Welsh teacher, linguist, and campaigner for women's suffrage and education * Ernest Rhys (1859–1946), English writer *

Gruff Rhys Gruffudd Maredudd Bowen Rhys (; born 18 July 1970) is a Welsh musician, composer, producer, filmmaker and author. He performs solo and with several bands, including Super Furry Animals, which obtained mainstream success in the 1990s. He forme ...

(born 1970), vocalist and guitarist *

Jean Rhys Jean Rhys, ( ; born Ella Gwendoline Rees Williams; 24 August 1890 – 14 May 1979) was a novelist who was born and grew up in the Caribbean island of Dominica. From the age of 16, she resided mainly in England, where she was sent for her educa ...

(1890–1979), Caribbean writer * Sir

John Rhŷs Sir John Rhŷs (; 21 June 1840 – 17 December 1915) was a Welsh scholar, fellow of the British Academy, Celticist and the first professor of Celtic at Oxford University. Early years and education He was born John Rees at Ponterwyd in Cere ...

(1840–1915), Celtic scholar at Oxford * John Llewellyn Rhys, an airman memorialised by John Llewellyn Rhys prize *

Keidrych Rhys William Ronald Rhys Jones (26 December 1915 – 22 May 1987), who used the name Keidrych Rhys, was a Welsh literary journalist and editor, and a poet. He was editor of the periodical, ''Wales'', published from 1937 to 1949 and from 1958 to 19 ...

(1915–1987), Welsh literary journalist and editor *

Matthew Rhys Matthew Rhys Evans ( ; born 8 November 1974) is a Welsh actor. He gained recognition for playing Kevin Walker in the family drama series '' Brothers & Sisters'' (2006–2011) and Philip Jennings in the spy drama series ''The Americans'' (2013 ...

(born 1974), Welsh actor *

Morgan John Rhys Morgan John Rhys, also Rhees (8 December 1760 – 7 December 1804) was a Welsh radical evangelical Baptist minister. He preached the principles of the French Revolution, against slavery, and in favour of the reform of parliament. Life Morgan Joh ...

(1760–1804), Baptist minister *

Myvanwy Rhys Myvanwy Rhys (1 August 1874 – 28 November 1945), also spelled Myfanwy Rhŷs, was a Welsh suffragist and historian. She was elected to the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, a Welsh learned society, later becoming a vice-president of the socie ...

, Welsh suffragist and historian *

Paul Rhys Paul Rhys (born 19 December 1963) is a Welsh actor with an extensive career in theatre, radio, television and film. Early life Rhys was born in Neath to working-class Catholic parents, Kathryn Ivory and Richard Charles Rhys, a labourer. He is of ...

(born 1963), Welsh television, film and theatre actor *

Siôn Dafydd Rhys Siôn Dafydd Rhys, in Latin Joannes David Rhaesus, also called John David Rhys, or John Davies (1534 – ), was a Welsh physician and grammarian. He wrote the first Welsh grammar in Latin (but not the first Welsh grammar at all, see Gruffydd Robert ...

(1534 – c. 1609), Welsh physician and grammarian

Fictional characters

* Lt Cmdr Gen Rhys, from '' Star Trek: Discovery'', portrayed by Patrick Kwok-Choon. * Rhys (Rhysand), from the series ''

A Court of Thorns and Roses ''A Court of Thorns and Roses'' is a fantasy romance series by American author Sarah J. Maas, which follows the journey of 19-year-old Feyre Archeron after she is brought into the faerie lands of Prythian. The first book of the series, ''A Court ...

'' by Sarah J. Maas * Knight Rhys, a member of the Brotherhood of steel in the video game ''

Fallout 4 ''Fallout 4'' is a 2015 action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fourth main game in the ''Fallout'' series and was released worldwide on November 10, 2015, for Microsoft Windo ...

'' * Rhys Winterborne from Marrying Winterborne, by Lisa Kleypas * Rhys, in the video game '' Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance'' * Rhys, in the

Merry Gentry Meredith "Merry" Gentry is the protagonist of an eponymous fantasy series by US writer Laurell K. Hamilton, best known for her other fantasy series '' Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter''. The series comprises nine novels and was written between 2000 ...

book series by Laurell K. Hamilton * Rhys, the central character of the first generation of the video game '' Phantasy Star III'' * Rhys Strongfork, a main player-character from the ''

Tales from the Borderlands ''Tales from the Borderlands'' is an episodic interactive comedy graphic adventure sci-fi video game based on the '' Borderlands'' series. It was developed by Telltale Games under license from Gearbox Software, the developer of the ''Borderland ...

'' video game, CEO of the Atlas corporation in the video games ''

Borderlands 3 ''Borderlands 3'' is a 2019 action role-playing first-person shooter video game developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. It is a sequel to 2012's '' Borderlands 2'', and the fourth entry in the main ''Borderlands'' series. ''Borderla ...

'' and ''New Tales from the Borderlands'' * Rhys, in '' The Two Princesses of Bamarre'' by Gail Carson Levine *

Rhys Ashworth Rhys Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Hollyoaks'', played by Andrew Moss. He made his first on-screen appearance in September 2005. Rhys was killed off in the Enjoy The Ride storyline in an episode airin ...

, on the British soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' * Rhys Dahl, in ''

Switched Switched may refer to: * Switched (band) Switched (previously depicted as Sw1tched) was an American nu metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. History Forming in 1999 as Sw1tch, the band played shows around Ohio and released a demo entitled ''Fu ...

'' by Amanda Hlcking * Rhys Dallows, from the video game '' Star Wars: Starfighter'' * Rhys Lawson, from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' * Rhys Lewis, the eponymous subject of the 1885 novel by Daniel Owen * Rhys Maelwaedd, a character of the

Deverry Cycle The Deverry Cycle is a series of Celtic fantasy novels by Katharine Kerr set in the fictional land of Deverry. As of February 2020, sixteen books have been published in the series. The series is written in a non-linear style: the principal narr ...

book series * Rhys Montrose, from the television series

You In Modern English, the word "''you''" is the second-person pronoun. It is grammatically plural, and was historically used only for the dative case, but in most modern dialects is used for all cases and numbers. History ''You'' comes from ...

* Rhys Rhysson, the Low King of the dwarfs in Terry Pratchett's Discworld books * Rhys Williams, in the BBC science fiction series ''Torchwood'' * Rhys, an elvish hunter in the Gilt-Leaf tribe, from the ''

Lorwyn The Lorwyn block is a ''Magic: The Gathering'' expert-level block consisting of two sets: ''Lorwyn'' (October 2007) and ''Morningtide'' (February 2008). A third set, codenamed "Jelly", was originally planned as part of the Lorwyn block, but partwa ...

'' and ''

Shadowmoor Shadowmoor is a '' Magic: The Gathering'' block consisting of the expansion sets ''Shadowmoor'' (released May 2, 2008) and ''Eventide'' (released July 25, 2008). The block was originally conceived as a single set that was to be released as the thi ...

'' blocks of the collectible card game, '' Magic: The Gathering'' * Rhys Sutherland, in the ''Home and Away'' television series

The patronymic form

The surnames Price, Prys, Pris and Preece are derived from the

''ap Rhys'' meaning 'son of Rhys'. Notable people with this surname include: *

John Prise Sir John Prise (also Prys, Price; ) (1501/2–1555) was a Welsh public notary, who acted as a royal agent and visitor of the monasteries. He was also a scholar, associated with the first Welsh printed publication '' Yn y lhyvyr hwnn''. He was ...

or Price (1501–1555), also called Syr Siôn ap Rhys, Welsh scholar and author of the first book to be printed in Welsh, * Hywel ap Rhys (c. 840 – 886), ancient Welsh king of Glywysing *

Tomos Prys Tomos Prys (c.1564–1634) was a Welsh soldier, sailor and poet. He was the eldest son of Ellis Price MP, of Pentrefoelas, Plas Iolyn, Pentrefoelas, Denbighshire. Life He followed a seafaring life for many years, joining expeditions under both W ...

(c. 1564 – 1634), Welsh soldier, sailor and poet

References

{{given name, type=both Welsh-language surnames Welsh given names Welsh masculine given names