Boyce

Meaning and origin

The last name Boyce is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "bois" meaning "wood" or "forest." This surname was often given to individuals who lived near or worked in a forest or wooded area. The name Boyce has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages and can be found in various spellings and variations throughout England and Northern Europe.

The longer story

Boyce is a surname that has its origins in England and Scotland. The name is classified as a patronymic surname, meaning that it originated from the given name of an ancestor. In this case, the name Boyce likely derived from the medieval male given name "Bois" or "Boys." This name itself had Old French and Old Germanic origins, with the meaning of "wood" or "forest" in both languages.

The distribution of the surname Boyce in the United States reveals a higher concentration in the northeastern region of the country, particularly in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. This suggests that the name may have been more prevalent among early settlers in this area.

As with many surnames, the spelling of Boyce has evolved over time. Variations of the name include Boies, Boyes, Boice, and Boyess. These variations may reflect differences in regional pronunciation or phonetic changes over the centuries.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.