Bice History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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The name Bice is rooted in the ancient Norman culture that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was a name for someone who was a person with a dark complexion or person who dressed in dark clothing. The name stems from the Old English root bis, which means dingy or murky.

Early Origins of the Bice family

The surname Bice was first found in Surrey, where they had been granted lands by King William, their liege Lord, after the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Bice family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bice research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1615, 1630, 1640, 1667, 1680, 1709, 1710, 1711, 1713, 1721 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Bice History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bice Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Biss, Bisse and others.

Early Notables of the Bice family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Philip Bisse (1667-1721), an English Bishop of St David's (1710-1713) and Bishop of Hereford (1713-1721.) He was a native of Oldbury in Gloucestershire. "The bishop published several of his sermons. One was preached before the House of Commons 15 March 1709, being the day appointed for a general fast, and another...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bice Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bice Ranking

In the United States, the name Bice is the 6,005^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Bice family to Ireland

Some of the Bice family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bice migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Bice or a variant listed above:

Bice Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas S. Bice, (b. 1875), aged 24, Cornish labourer, from Par, Cornwall, UK, travelling aboard the ship "Saint Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st December 1899 en route to Carthage, Montana, USA 2

Bice Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Frederick Bice, (b. 1893), aged 11, Cornish settler, from Mevagissey, Cornwall, UK, travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd May 1904 en route to Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA 2
Mr. Thomas Bice, (b. 1860), aged 44, Cornish joiner, from Mevagissey, Cornwall, UK, travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd May 1904 en route to Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA 2

Bice migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bice Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Bice U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 3

Bice migration to Australia +

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

Bice Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Bice, (b. 1828), aged 26, Cornish miner, from Gwennap, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Lady Ann" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 29th September 1854 4
William Henry Bice, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Confiance" 5
Mrs. Matilda Bice, (b. 1850), aged 36, Cornish housekeeper travelling aboard the ship "SS Cuzco" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 12th March 1886 6
Mr. Samuel Bice, (b. 1876), aged 10, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "SS Cuzco" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 12th March 1886 6
Miss Matilda Bice, (b. 1882), aged 4, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "SS Cuzco" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 12th March 1886 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bice (post 1700) +

Raymond Curtis Bice Sr. (1896-1994), American politician, historian, and businessman from La Crosse, Wisconsin
Major General David F. Bice, American retired Inspector General of the United States Marine Corps
Gregory Lawrence Bice (b. 1981), American lacrosse player from Bethesda, Maryland
Robert Bice (1914-1968), American television and film actor from Dallas, Texas
Jeanne Bice (1939-2011), American entrepreneur, businesswoman and television personality from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice Jr. (b. 1975), American singer and musician, runner-up in the fourth season of American Idol
Samuel Sandoe Bice (b. 1903), Cornish mining captain who worked the Wallaroo and Moonta Mining Company, South Australia from 1864 to 1914, father of Sir John George Bice
Olivette Bice (b. 1968), Vanuatuan sprinter
Albert Clare Bice CM (1909-1976), Canadian artist, curator, and children's book author/illustrator from Durham, Ontrario
Stephen "Steve" Bice (b. 1981), Canadian two-time gold medalist curler from Sarnia, Ontario, brother of Mark Bice
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Bice family +

The Bice Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ayez prudence
Motto Translation: Have prudence.