Hoyles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

The Welsh name Hoyles derives from the Old English word "holh" meaning "hole." It is thought to have originally been a name for someone who lived in a round hollow or near a pit. As such, the surname Hoyles belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.

Early Origins of the Hoyles family

The surname Hoyles was first found in Monmouthshire (Welsh: Sir Fynwy), where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some even say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Hoyles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoyles research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1609, 1654, 1672, 1741, 1742 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Hoyles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoyles Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. The most obvious reason was the challenge of translating from Welsh into English. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Hoyles name over the years has been spelled Hoyle, Hoile and others.

Early Notables of the Hoyles family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769), English writer and authority on card games, originator of the phrase 'according to Hoyle.' "Hoyle is said to have been called to the bar. In 1741 he was living in Queen Square, London, and gave lessons on whist-playing. He also circulated a manuscript handbook, which developed into his famous 'Short Treatise on the Game of Whist,' first printed in 1742. In the early editions the author offers for a guinea to disclose the secret of his ' artificial memory which does not take off your...
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoyles Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoyles Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hoyles is the 582^nd most popular surname with an estimated 79 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Hoyles family to Ireland

Some of the Hoyles family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoyles migration to the United States +

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Hoyles:

Hoyles Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Hoyles, who landed in Virginia in 1663 2

Hoyles migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hoyles Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Hoyles, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal Admiral" in 1838 3
Ann Hoyles, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal Admiral" in 1838 3
Mr. John Hoyles, English convict who was convicted in Boston, Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 28th June 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4

Citations +

The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ROYAL ADMIRAL 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838RoyalAdmiral.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia. Retrieved 25th March 2022 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emerald-isle