Show ContentsBoevee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Boevee family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in the region of Bouville, in Seine Maritime, which later changed to Bovilla, in 1212. 1

Early Origins of the Boevee family

The surname Boevee was first found in Devon, at North Bovey, a parish, in the union of Newton-Abbot, hundred of Teignbridge, Crockernwell. "The lords of this manor formerly exercised the power of inflicting punishment for capital crimes. " 2

Early History of the Boevee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boevee research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1451, 1466, 1523, 1622, 1669, 1679, 1684, 1691, 1696, 1709, 1726 and 1736 are included under the topic Early Boevee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boevee Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Boevee include Bovey, Bovie, Bovy and others.

Early Notables of the Boevee family

Distinguished members of the family include James Boevey (1622-1696), an English merchant, lawyer and philosopher; and Sir Ralph Bovey (d. 1679), 1st Baronet Bovey, Sheriff of Warwickshire and Bedfordshire. Catharina Bovey or Boevey (1669-1726), was a "charitable lady, was born in London in 1669, her father being John Riches, a very wealthy merchant there. Catharina was a great beauty. In 'The New Atlantis' of 1736, where she is called Portia, she is described as 'one of those lofty, black, and lasting beauties that strike with...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boevee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boevee family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Boevee or a variant listed above: The widow Bovey who settled in Barbados in 1680; Margaret Bovey settled in New England in 1679; Jerome Bovie settled in New Netherlands in 1663 with his wife and five children.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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