Surname Luce - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Diverse Ancestral Ties of the Surname 'Luce': An Enlightening iGENEA DNA Test Insight

Are you fascinated by your lineage, ever curious to unravel the mysteries of your roots? The recent iGENEA DNA test results I received revealed surprising correlations linked to the surname 'Luce'. With ties to Celtic, Viking, and North African racial groups, I am afforded an enlightening exploration of my heredity. This unfolding narrative indeed showcases that our personal histories are as diverse and dynamic as humanity itself.

Y. Luce

Luce: What does the surname Luce mean?

The surname Luce is of French origin and links back to the Latin word "lux" or "luc," which translates to "light." As such, the surname Luce implies a person who is a bringer of light, be it literal or metaphorical. This could imply a bright personality, a person of enlightenment, or simply someone who worked as a torchbearer or a lamplighter in the early days. It may also link to religion or one's occupation. In the Catholic tradition, the name Luce is often associated with Saint Lucia (or Saint Lucy), the patron saint of the blind, and so the surname could have been adopted by people devoted to her. The name spread across European countries, including England, with the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century. Different spellings of the surname include Luse, Luck, Luke, amongst others. Therefore, the surname Luce carries an implication of brightness, enlightenment, and faith.

Luce: Where does the name Luce come from?

The surname Luce is of French origin. The name is derived from the Old French “Luce,” a vernacular variant of "Lucie," which is in turn derived from the Latin "Lucius," meaning "light." The name is first found in Maine, in the western Loire Valley in France, where the family had been esteemed members of the gentry from ancient times.

The Luce surname is not very common today – it's ranked as the 9068th most common surname in the world. It's found in significant numbers in the United States, France, and England. In the U.S, it's particularly common in the northeastern states of Maine and Vermont. Other areas with notable populations include Canada, Germany, and Brazil.

The Luce name has spread worldwide mainly due to emigration from France and England. One notable bearer of the name was Henry Robinson Luce, an influential American publisher known for establishing Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated magazines in the 20th century.

Variations of the surname Luce

The surname Luce has several variations and possible origins, leading to a number of spelling variants and related surnames. Some of its variants include Luc, Luces, Lucia, Luci, Lucie, and Lucy. Other variations might be based on geographical or regional differences, like De La Luce, Lucey, or Lucet.

The surname Luce could be of French origin, where it's typically derived from the female first name Lucie, itself from the Latin "Lux" meaning light. In this case, other related French surnames could include DeLuc or Deluce.

In some cases, Luce might be a variant of the Welsh surname Llewellyn, which has been phonetically anglicized into several forms such as Luce, Lewis, Louis, or even Loisel in some regions of France.

The surname might also have originated from English, where it was initially used as a nickname for someone born at daybreak or someone who lived in a brightly lit area; possible variants here might include Light, Liht, Day, or Dawn.

Luce could also be of Germanic origin, where it was derived from Lucia or Lucius. In German regions, similar surnames might be Lust, Lux, or Luz.

Remember, surname origins can be complex and multifaceted, and it may be difficult to definitively trace the origin of a specific surname without genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Luce

• Henry Luce: co-founder of Time and Life magazines.
• Clare Boothe Luce: an American author, politician, and diplomat.
• Tracy Luce: a fictional character from the manga series "Money and Intelligence".
• Paul Luce: an American actor, comedian, and musician.
• Nathalie Luce: a French film, stage and television actress.
• Chiara Luce Badano: Italian teenage saint of the Catholic Church.
• Harriet Luce Herrick: an American educator, writer, and suffragist.
• Frank Luce: an American professional basketball player.
• Steve Luce: an English cricketer who played for Surrey.
• Mario Luce: an Italian actor, stage actor, and producer.
• Marie Luce: a French classical violinist.
• Joe Luce: a Scottish football player and manager.
• Lucio Luce: an Italian professional cyclist.
• Michael Luce: an American music producer and singer-songwriter.
• Neil Luce: a Canadian ice hockey coach and retired professional player.
• Joey Luce: an American musician, singer, and songwriter.
• Amelie Luce: a French theatre director and actor.
• Emma Luce: an English television, film, and stage actress.
• Francis B. Luce: a United States Marine Corps officer and Medal of Honor recipient.
• André Luce: a French mariner, Navy captain and Resistance member during World War II.

Other surnames

LucLucasLucashenLucassLucaßLucassenLucaßenLuceroLuceyLuchsLuchtLuchterhandLuchterhandtLuciaLucidLuckLückLuckardLuckardtLuckasLuckaschewskiLuckassLuckassenLuckaßenLuckauLuckeLückeLückemannLuckemeierLückemeier