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ArchivesOrigin of Cloyce as a First Name
Cloyce is an unusual but not unique first name. I have found many Cloyce's listed on an internet search. The name appears to have been popular in the Southeast and Southern US. Cloyce appears as a last name in early colonial times but I can find no national origin sources. Any insights are appreciated.
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The name appears to have originated as a French surname derived from the town of Cloyes, near Paris. People surnamed Cloyes emigrated to England as early as the 1500s (during one religious persecution or another), and spelling variants such as Cloyse, Cloyce, and Clyes developed in short order. Spelling was, after all, not a skill of the common man in those days, and in rural areas remained pretty much a creative, free-form exercise until the mid-1700s.
Anyway, the Cloyse (or Cloyes or Cloyce) family or parts thereof had moved on to New England by the late 1600's, just in time for one Sarah Cloyse to narrowly avoid being hanged as a witch in 1692 Salem.
I would guess that at some point, elements of the family moved South where, as often happens, the family surname Cloyce eventually was put to use as a first name. Still a very common practice in the South...
Not much to go on, but I hope that's of some help.
- Da.
Anyway, the Cloyse (or Cloyes or Cloyce) family or parts thereof had moved on to New England by the late 1600's, just in time for one Sarah Cloyse to narrowly avoid being hanged as a witch in 1692 Salem.
I would guess that at some point, elements of the family moved South where, as often happens, the family surname Cloyce eventually was put to use as a first name. Still a very common practice in the South...
Not much to go on, but I hope that's of some help.
- Da.
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My grandfather from Arkansas, USA, was named Cloyce. As was my Brother. A name handed down through generations in our family. We never knew and this sheds great light on it. We were told it was a NightsTemplar in our family. That came over with the Atlantic with Sinclair. We have no documentation but family stories are steeped in the same story.
Thank you for your information! It is all quite fascinating!
Isabell
Thank you for your information! It is all quite fascinating!
Isabell
1
My grandfather from Arkansas, USA, was named Cloyce. As was my Brother. A name handed down through generations in our family. We never knew and this sheds great light on it. We were told it was a NightsTemplar in our family. That came over with the Atlantic with Sinclair. We have no documentation but family stories are steeped in the same story.
Thank you for your information! It is all quite fascinating!
Isabell
Thank you for your information! It is all quite fascinating!
Isabell
1
My grandfather from Arkansas, USA, was named Cloyce. As was my Brother. A name handed down through generations in our family. We never knew and this sheds great light on it. We were told it was a NightsTemplar in our family. That came over with the Atlantic with Sinclair. We have no documentation but family stories are steeped in the same story.
Thank you for your information! It is all quite fascinating!
Isabell
Thank you for your information! It is all quite fascinating!
Isabell
1
Da
Thank you for your response. Your information is consistant with other pieces I have found.
Thank you again
Cloyce Ryland
Thank you for your response. Your information is consistant with other pieces I have found.
Thank you again
Cloyce Ryland
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