Show ContentsBoveys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Boveys surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the region of Bouville, in Seine Maritime, which later changed to Bovilla, in 1212. 1

Early Origins of the Boveys family

The surname Boveys 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 Boveys family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boveys 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 Boveys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boveys Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Boveys include Bovey, Bovie, Bovy and others.

Early Notables of the Boveys 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 Boveys Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boveys family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: 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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