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

Deheubarth Deheubarth (; lit. "Right-hand Part", thus "the South") was a regional name for the realms of south Wales, particularly as opposed to Gwynedd (Latin: ''Venedotia''). It is now used as a shorthand for the various realms united under the House o ...

, an old region of South West Wales, with famous kings such as Rhys ap Tewdwr. It is pronounced in

North Wales North Wales ( cy, Gogledd Cymru) is a 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 Snowdonia N ...

, in South Wales, and in English. Anglicised forms of the name include

Reece Reece derives from the Welsh name Rhys. It may refer to: * Recce (filmmaking) * Reece (name), people with the given name or surname * A-Reece (born 1997), South African rapper and record producer * Reece, Kansas, United States * Mount Reece, in t ...

, Rees,

Reese Reese may refer to: Places Germany * Reese, Germany, a hamlet in Lower Saxony on the River Aue United States * Reese, Michigan, United States, a community east of Saginaw * Reese, Pennsylvania, United States, a community in Blair County * Reese, T ...

and

Rice Rice is the seed of the grass species '' Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera '' Zizania'' and '' Porteresia'', both wild and domesticat ...

People with the given name

History

Rhys ap Gruffydd Rhys ap Gruffydd, commonly known as The Lord Rhys, in Welsh ''Yr Arglwydd Rhys'' (c. 1132 – 28 April 1197) was the ruler of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales from 1155 to 1197 and native Prince of Wales. It was believed that he ...

(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 Catherine Ho ...

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

Modern times

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

Rhys Coiro John Rhys Coiro (born March 12, 1979) is an American film, television, and stage 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 Born in Santo Stefa ...

(born 1979), American film actor and singer *

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

(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 Fulber (born 1970), Canadian musician (

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

) *

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 1 as a bombardier. Gemmell is best known for winning th ...

(born 1896), former tennis player from Australia *

Rhys Hanbury Rhys Hanbury (born 27 August 1985) is an Australian 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 primari ...

(born 1985), Australian rugby league footballer *

Rhys Hoskins Rhys Dean Hoskins ( ; born March 17, 1993), is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hoskins played college baseball for the Sacramento State Hornets. He was drafted by the ...

(born 1993), American professional baseball player *

Rhys Huber Rhys Huber (born June 24, 1986) is a Canadian actor. He has done English voice work for animation and anime. His most notable role is Li Showron in the '' Cardcaptors'' dub. Animation/Anime Roles * '' Cardcaptors'' as Li Showron * '' Cardcaptor ...

(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 Mauric ...

(born 1966), Welsh writer *

Rhys Ifans Rhys Ifans (; born Rhys Owain Evans; 22 July 1967) is a Welsh actor and musician. He was the frontman of Welsh rock music bands the Peth and Super Furry Animals. As an actor, he is best known for his roles in ''Notting Hill'' (1999), ''Kevin & ...

(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 Wil ...

, professor *

Rhys James Rhys James (born Rhys Jones, 30 April 1991) is an English stand-up comedian. James has appeared on ''Mock the Week'' and '' Live at the Apollo''. Personal Life James studied for a politics and international relations degree at Manchester Univ ...

, English comedian *

Rhys Jones (disambiguation) Rhys Jones or ''variation'', may refer to: Given and last name * Rhys Jones (archaeologist) (1941–2001), Welsh-Australian archaeologist * Rhys Jones (rugby union) (born 1987), Welsh rugby union player *Murder of Rhys Jones, an 11-year-old shot de ...

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

Rhys Millen Rhys 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 top rall ...

, 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. Since 2012 he has starred as Mark Oliver in '' House Husbands''. Career Television Muldoo ...

(born 1965), Australian actor *

Rhys Oakley Rhys Oakley (born 16 September 1980 in Plymouth) is a former professional rugby union footballer who played as a number eight. Oakley began his professional career with Bristol Rugby, before moving to the Newport Gwent Dragons, Leeds Tykes, ...

(born 1980), Wales international rugby union player * Rhys Palmer (born 1989), Australian rules footballer *

Rhys Patchell Rhys Patchell (born 17 May 1993) is a Wales international rugby union player. A fly-half, he plays for Scarlets having previously played for Cardiff Blues. Early life Educated at Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd and at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf. ...

Welsh rugby union player * Rhys Priestland (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-W ...

(1865–1955), British Liberal Party politician *

Rhys Stanley Rhys Stanley (born 1 December 1990) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the St Kilda Football Club from 2010 to 2014. Stanley was recruit ...

(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 his roles in '' Star Stories'', '' The Fast Show'', '' Sirens'' and ''Nathan Barley''. He also appears as Gary Bellamy on Ra ...

(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 ...

(born 1988), Australian actor *

Rhys Webb Rhys Webb (born 9 December 1988) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Ospreys. Born in Bridgend, he is a product of the Ospreys academy and played club rugby for Bridgend RFC and Aberavon RFC before breaking into the regi ...

(born 1988), Welsh rugby union player *

Rhys Wesser Rhys Joseph Wesser (born 31 March 1979) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a . During his 14 seasons in the NRL, he played for the Penrith Panthers, with whom he won the 2003 NRL Premiership, and the Sou ...

(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

* Samaire Rhys Armstrong, (born 1980), American actress *

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

(born 1953), Welsh comedian and presenter * T. Rhys Thomas, Wales international rugby union player *

John Rhys-Davies John Rhys-Davies (born 5 May 1944) is a Welsh actor best known for portraying Sallah in the ''Indiana Jones'' franchise and Gimli in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy. His other roles include Michael Malone in the 1993 series ''The Untouch ...

(born 1944), Welsh actor * Tim Rhys-Evans (born 1972), Welsh musician * Brandon Rhys-Williams (1927–1988), British Conservative Party politician *

(1865–1955), British Liberal Party politician *

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

(born 1977), Irish actor *

John Rhys Plumlee John Rhys Plumlee (born January 2, 2001) is an American football quarterback for the UCF Knights. He formerly played for Ole Miss and was a center fielder for the Ole Miss baseball team. Early life and high school Plumlee grew up in Hattiesb ...

(born 2001), American football quarterback for the University of Central Florida Knights * * *

Sophie, Countess of Wessex Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar, (born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, 20 January 1965) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, the youngest brother of King Charles III. She grew u ...

(born Sophie Rhys-Jones; 1965) Welsh member of the Commonwealth Royal Family

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, (born 1983), Welsh actress * 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 formed ...

(born 1970), vocalist and guitarist *

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

(1890–1979), Caribbean writer * Sir John Rhŷs (1840–1915), Celtic scholar at Oxford * John Llewellyn Rhys, an airman memorialised by John Llewellyn Rhys prize * Keidrych Rhys (1915–1987), Welsh literary journalist and editor *

Matthew Rhys Matthew Rhys Evans ( ; born 8 November 1974) is a Welsh actor. He is known for playing Kevin Walker in '' Brothers & Sisters'' (2006–2011) and Philip Jennings in ''The Americans'' (2013–2018), for which he received two Golden Globe Awar ...

(born 1974), Welsh actor * Morgan John Rhys (1760–1804), Baptist minister *

Paul Rhys Paul Rhys (born 19 December 1963) is a Welsh theatre, television and film actor. Early life Rhys was born in Neath to working class Catholic parents, Kathryn Ivory and her husband Richard Charles Rhys, a labourer. At fourteen, he bred and train ...

(born 1963), Welsh television, film and theatre actor * Phillip Rhys (born 1974), English actor * Siôn Dafydd Rhys (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 new adult fantasy novel series by American author Sarah J. Maas, beginning with the novel of the same name, released in May 2015. The story follows the journey of mortal Feyre Archeron after she is brought in ...

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

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 PlayStation 4, ...

* Rhys Winterborne from Marrying Winterborne, by Lisa Kleypas * Rhys, in the '' Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance'' video game * 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''. Since 2000, she has been alternating between the two series, pub ...

book series by Laurell K. Hamilton * Rhys, the central character of the first generation of '' 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 '' Borderlands 3'' video game * 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 airi ...

, on the British soap ''Hollyoaks'' * Rhys Dahl, in '' Switched'' 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 book series * 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 partway ...

'' 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 thir ...

'' blocks of the collectible card game, ''

Magic: The Gathering ''Magic: The Gathering'' (colloquially known as ''Magic'' or ''MTG'') is a Tabletop game, tabletop and Digital collectible card game, digital Collectible card game, collectable card game created by Richard Garfield. Released in 1993 by Wizards ...

'' *

Rhys Sutherland Rhys Sutherland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Home and Away'', portrayed by actor Michael Beckley from 2000 to late 2004. Casting Beckley spent 20 years as a theatre actor before he joined the cast of '' Home and Awa ...

, in the ''Home and Away'' television series

The patronymic form

The surnames Price, Prys, Pris and Preece are derived from the Welsh ''ap Rhys'' meaning 'son of Rhys'. Notable people with this surname include: *

John Prise Sir John Prise (also Prys, Price, in Welsh Syr Siôn ap Rhys) (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 '' ...

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 Plas Iolyn, Pentrefoelas, Denbighshire. Life He followed a seafaring life for many years, joining expeditions under both Sir Walter Ral ...

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