Show ContentsNyce History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The story of the Nyce family begins in ancient Scotland among the Pictish clans. The Nyce family lived in any of a number of places called Ness, in Scotland and England. In this case, the surname Nyce comes from the Old English word, ness, which means headland. Thus, the surname Nyce means someone "from the headland." However, some references claim the name came from the Gaelic personal name Ness.

Early Origins of the Nyce family

The surname Nyce was first found in Fife, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Nyce family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nyce research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1093, 1153, 1160, 1180, 1260 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nyce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nyce Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Nyce has appeared Ness, Nesse, Nessan, Neeson and others.

Early Notables of the Nyce family

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

Ireland Migration of the Nyce family to Ireland

Some of the Nyce family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Nyce migration to the United States +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Nyce name:

Nyce Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Nyce, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 1
Nyce Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Harry Nyce, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
Nyce Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Benjamin Nyce, aged 40, who settled in America, in 1910
  • Norman Nyce, aged 11, who landed in America, in 1910
  • Ursule Nyce, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
  • W.M. Nyce, aged 27, who landed in America, in 1916
  • Mamie Nyce, aged 23, who immigrated to America, in 1916
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nyce (post 1700) +

  • William H. Nyce, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Sussex County, 1839-40 2
  • Samuel E. Nyce, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Montgomery County, 1873 2
  • L. Harry R. Nyce, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Philadelphia County, 1899-1900 2
  • Charles Reiff Nyce (1870-1908), born Charles Reiff Nice, American Major League Baseball player
  • Robert E. Nyce (b. 1991), American politician, former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, May 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook