Show ContentsNoyce History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Noyce is one of the names carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is based on the Old English given name Noye.

Early Origins of the Noyce family

The surname Noyce was first found in Cornwall. "Pen-tre, Pendre, or Pendray, in this parish, gave its name to a family thence called Pendray, so early as the reign of Henry VI. About this time, on the failure of male heirs, two heiresses carried the family estates by marriage to Bonython of Carclew, and Noye. Pendray fell to the share of Noye, on which estates the family resided for several descents; William Noye, the celebrated attorney general of Charles I. was born here. Burmuhall in this parish, was also another seat belonging to the Noyes, in which it has been said that William Noye was born." 1

At one time, some of the family held the manor of Amalibria in the parish of Towednack, Cornwall. This was held by Humphrey Noy, Esq., but he conveyed it to his son-in-law Davies. No year is given for this entry. 1

Early History of the Noyce family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Noyce research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1568, 1614, 1622, 1647 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Noyce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Noyce Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Noyce have been found, including Noyes, Noye, Nye, Nie, Noyers, Noyce, Noise and others.

Early Notables of the Noyce family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Robert Noyes (1524-1614); and his son, Rev. William Noyes (1568-1622), an English clergyman, Rector of Cholderton, Wiltshire. Peter Noyes was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Andover in 1614. Reverend Nicholas Noyes Jr...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Noyce Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Noyce migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Noyce were among those contributors:

Noyce Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nicholas Noyce, who arrived in New England in 1633-1634 2
  • Andrew Noyce, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 2
  • Peter Noyce, aged 47, from Hampshire, who arrived aboard the ship "Confidence" in 1638 in New England and Boston stated, bound for Watertown. 2
  • Mr. Thomas Noyce, aged 15, who arrived aboard the ship "Confidence" in 1638 in New England and Boston stated, bound for Watertown. 3
  • Miss Elizabeth Noyce, who arrived aboard the ship "Confidence" in 1638 in New England and Boston stated, bound for Watertown. 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Noyce (post 1700) +

  • Elizabeth Noyce (1930-1996), American philanthropist, and former wife of founder of Intel Corporation, Robert Noyce
  • Robert N. Noyce (1927-1989), American inventor and Intel co-founder nicknamed "the Mayor of Silicon Valley"
  • Al Noyce, American politician, Mayor of Salina, Kansas, 1947-48 4
  • Mark Noyce (b. 1974), English actor, writer, film director and producer
  • Cuthbert Wilfrid Francis Noyce (1917-1962), English mountaineer and author, member of the 1953 British Expedition that made the first ascent of Mount Everest
  • Graham Noyce, English motocross racer who competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1975 to 1984, the 1979 500cc motocross World Champion.
  • Jonathan Noyce (b. 1971), English musician, best known as the bass player for the British rock group Jethro Tull for 12 years
  • Wilfrid Noyce (1917-1962), English mountaineer and author, member of the 1953 British Expedition that made the first ascent of Mount Everest
  • Phillip Noyce (b. 1950), Australian film director, known for his work with Val Kilmer, Harrison Ford, Denzel Washington, Michael Caine, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, and Rutger Hauer.


The Noyce 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: Nuncia pacis oliva
Motto Translation: A message of peace.


  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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