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The ancestors of the Toves family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Toves is based on the Norman personal name Tofig.
The surname Toves 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.)
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toves research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1692 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Toves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Toves include Tovey, Tovy and others.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Toves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Tovess to arrive on North American shores: Benjamin and Richard Tovey settled in Barbados in 1679 with their servants; Nathanial and John Tovey settled in Virginia in 1663.