The surname Choice is derived from the personal names Josse or Goce. The name Choice is derived from the Latin word "gaudere" and is cognate in origin with the words joy and joyous. The personal names Josse and Goce were made popular by St. Josse the Hermit, who refused the sovereignty of
Brittany. Joyce was used primarily as a female
personal name, although some of the earlier instances were masculine. The Gaelic form of the surname Choice is Seoigh.
Early Origins of the Choice family
The surname Choice was first found in
Glamorganshire (Welsh: Sir Forgannwg), a region of South
Wales, anciently part of the
Welsh kingdom of Glywysing, where they held a
family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of
Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Early History of the Choice family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Choice research.
Another 201 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1172, 1487 and 1618 are included under the topic Early Choice History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Choice Spelling Variations
Church officials and medieval scribes often spelled early surnames as they sounded. This practice often resulted in many
spelling variations of even a single name. Early versions of the name Choice included: Joyce, Joyes, Joy, Joice and others.
Early Notables of the Choice family (pre 1700)
Another 25 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Choice Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Choice family to the New World and Oceana
In the mid-19th century,
Ireland experienced one of the worst periods in its entire history. During this decade in order to ease the pressure of the soil, which was actually depleted by the effects of the previous years' grain crops, landowners forced
tenant farmers and peasants onto tiny plots of land that barely provided the basic sustenance a family required. Conditions were worsened, though, by the population of the country, which was growing fast to roughly eight million. So when the
Great Potato Famine of the mid-1840s hit, starvation and diseases decimated the population. Thousands of
Irish families left the country for British North America and the United States. The new immigrants were often accommodated either in the opening western frontiers or as cheap unskilled labor in the established centers. In early passenger and immigration lists there are many immigrants bearing the name Choice:
Choice Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Helue Choice, aged 20, who landed in America from Spartemburg, S.C., in 1910
- Robert Choice, aged 20, who emigrated to the United States, in 1923
Choice Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- James Thomas D. Choice, aged 18, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Brankenmoor" [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The BRANKEN MOOR 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849BrankenMoor.htm
Choice Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Charles Choice, aged 25, a shepherd, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
- Mary Choice, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
Contemporary Notables of the name Choice (post 1700)
- Tashard J. Choice (b. 1984), American NFL football running back
The Choice 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: Mors aut honorabilis vita
Motto Translation: Death, or life with honour.