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, an old region of South West Wales, with famous kings such as Rhys ap Tewdwr. It is pronounced in North Wales, in South Wales, and in English. Anglicised forms of the name include Reece, Rees, Reese and Rice. People with the given name History Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132–1197), 12th-century ruler of southern Wales Sir Rhys ap Gruffydd (died 1356), 14th-century Welsh nobleman Rhys ap Gruffydd (rebel) (1508–1531), executed 16th-century Welsh landowner Rhys ap Tewdwr (died 1093), 11th-century prince of southern Wales Rhys ap Thomas (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 (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 (born 1979), American film actor and singer Rhys Darby (born 1974), stand-up comedian from New Zealand Rhys Davies (born 1985), Welsh golfer Rhys Day (born 1982), Welsh footballer Rhys Evans (born 1982), English footballer Rhys Fulber (born 1970), Canadian musician (Front Line Assembly) Rhys Gemmell (born 1896), former tennis player from Australia Rhys Hanbury (born 1985), Australian rugby league footballer Rhys Hoskins (born 1993), American professional baseball player Rhys Huber (born 1986), Canadian voice actor Rhys Hughes (born 1966), Welsh writer Rhys Ifans (born 1967), Welsh actor Rhys Isaac, professor Rhys James, English comedian Rhys Jones (disambiguation), the name of several people Rhys Jenkins (born 1990), rugby union player Rhys Millen, car racer Rhys Muldoon (born 1965), Australian 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 (born 1987), Welsh rugby union player Rhys Rhys-Williams (1865–1955), British Liberal Party politician Rhys Stanley (born 1990), Australian rules footballer Rhys Taylor (born 1990), Welsh footballer Rhys Thomas (comedian) (born 1978), English comedian and actor Rhys M. Thomas (born 1982), Welsh international rugby union player Rhys Wakefield (born 1988), Australian actor Rhys Webb (born 1988), Welsh rugby union player Rhys Wesser (born 1979), Australian professional rugby league footballer Rhys Williams (rugby