Surname Boyce - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthed Ancestry: How an iGENEA DNA Test Altered My Perception of the Boyce Family Lineage
The recent DNA test I took at iGENEA revealed surprising insights into my Boyce family history, causing a drastic shift in my understanding of my ancestry and self. With markers indicating Celtic and Scandinavian origin intermingling with the expected British heritage, the familial narrative has changed, profoundly altering my self-perception.
K. Boyce
read moreBoyce: What does the surname Boyce mean?
The surname Boyce is of English or Scottish origin with multiple potential meanings. It could be derived from the Old French word "bois" meaning "wood" or "forest", suggesting that the first individuals with this surname may have lived or worked in or near a wood. Alternatively, Scottish sources link Boyce to the Gaelic word "buaidh", which translates to "victory". Therefore, they suggest that Boyce is a surname commonly given to successful warriors or individuals who accomplished great feats. Another theory suggests that Boyce could be an anglicized version of the Old Norman personal name Bozo, which is a pet form of the Germanic name Bodin or Bodo, meaning "messenger." Regardless of its source, Boyce is often considered a topographic or occupational surname, which reflected a person's residence or job, or a patronymic surname, which is derived from a father's first name.
Order DNA origin analysisBoyce: Where does the name Boyce come from?
The surname Boyce is of Norman origin, derived from the Old French word "bois," meaning "wood," and was likely initially a nickname for someone who lived near a wood or forest. The name later evolved into a locational surname when families began moving and adopted the name of their former habitation as their surname. The first recorded spelling of the family name is from 1201 in Wiltshire, England, under the name of "William del Boys."
After its establishment in England, the name spread to Ireland during the Norman invasion in the 12th century, where it was spelled de Buitléir. Over time, it was anglicized back into Boyce. Today, the surname Boyce is common in both England and Ireland. It is also prevalent in the United States, possibly due to immigration from these countries. However, it is not among the most common surnames in any of these countries. It is also found, but again not extremely common, in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Boyce
The surname Boyce has several variants and derivative forms that have evolved over time. Some of these include Boyes, Boys, Boice, Boies, Boase, Boise, Boze, Boyse, Boyes, Boze, and Boyz. The surnames Bothe and Boyth are also associated with Boyce.
The surname Boyce is thought to have French origins from the Old French "Bois" meaning "wood" or "forest". Therefore, surnames related to wood or forest in different languages and cultures could potentially share an origin with Boyce. For example, the French surname Dubois or English surname Wood may be of similar origins.
The variations in the spelling of Boyce have occurred due to factors such as translation issues, regional pronunciations, and different dialects in the regions where the name was taken. When immigration took place, many surnames were Anglicized or changed to sound more like the English equivalent, resulting in further variations. Furthermore, illiteracy also played a significant part in changing the spelling of surnames as many people would spell it as they heard it, resulting in an increased number of variants.
Despite this, it's crucial to remember that the presence of the same surname doesn't necessarily denote blood relation. The evolution of surnames is complex and influenced by a myriad of factors.
Famous people with the name Boyce
- Cameron Boyce: An American actor famous for his roles in Disney Channel's "Jessie" and the "Descendants" series.
- Delphine Boyce: A Canadian Paralympic athlete.
- William D. Boyce: An American entrepreneur and founder of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Dominic Boyce: Drummer for the British indie rock band Peace.
- Max Boyce: A Welsh singer-songwriter and comedian.
- Clive Boyce: A former professional footballer from England who played as a defender.
- Franklin R Boyce: A notable American pharmacist and founder of Boyce & Brown pharmacy.
- Sir Fredrick Boyce: A former governor of Bombay during the British Raj.
- Benjamin Boyce: A British pop singer who was a member of the boy band The Boyz.
- Sara Boyce: A Northern Ireland human rights activist.
- Scott Boyce: A professional Australian rules football player.
- Patrick Boyce: A renowned doctor in Australian known for his work in cardiology.