Show ContentsMoyce History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Moyce is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Moyce family lived in Shropshire. The name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Moy, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Moyce family

The surname Moyce was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The earliest reference to the name was Jeanne de Moy, a wealthy dowager widow of William Crispin IX, Baron of Bec in France about the year 1325. The name originated in Moy in Normandy. However, the name Moy became interpreted in northwestern England and Wales, and on the Welsh border as Moyes, Moyse, and Moses, even Moesen, the latter being a Welsh version being found in Denbigh, Llangollen and Wrexham. The name was also extended to Mostyn, and became attached to Vychan, Lord of Mostyn.

Early History of the Moyce family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moyce research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1623 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Moyce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moyce Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Moyce are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Moyce include Moy, Moye, Moys, Moyse, Moyes, Moses, Moesen, Moi and others.

Early Notables of the Moyce family

More information is included under the topic Early Moyce Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Moyce family to Ireland

Some of the Moyce 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.

Migration of the Moyce family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Moyce, or a variant listed above: Francois Moy who settled in Louisiana in 1719; Dennis, Edward and Hugh Moy settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1853; John Moys settled in Philadelphia in 1878.



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