Toovay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Toovay is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Toovay family when they emigrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Toovay comes from the Norman personal name Tofig.

Early Origins of the Toovay family

The surname Toovay was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from early times. "Tovus, otherwise known as Tovi, came to England with the Conqueror, and acquired several manors in Norfolk. The name is found in [the] Domesday [Book] as Tovi or Tovius." 1

Michael Tovy was Lord Mayor of London (1244-1245.)

Early History of the Toovay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toovay research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1692 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Toovay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Toovay Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Toovay were recorded, including Tovey, Tovy and others.

Early Notables of the Toovay family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Toovay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Toovay family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Toovay arrived in North America very early: Benjamin and Richard Tovey settled in Barbados in 1679 with their servants; Nathanial and John Tovey settled in Virginia in 1663.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.