Show ContentsNoyes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Noyes is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Old English given name Noye.

Early Origins of the Noyes family

The surname Noyes 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 Noyes family

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

Noyes Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Noyes family name include Noyes, Noye, Nye, Nie, Noyers, Noyce, Noise and others.

Early Notables of the Noyes family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Robert Noyes (1524-1614)

Noyes Ranking

In the United States, the name Noyes is the 2,806th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2


Noyes migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Noyes family to immigrate North America:

Noyes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nicholas Noyes, who settled in New England between 1620-1650
  • James Noyes, (1608-1656), English clergyman from Wiltshire who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1634, founder of Newbury, Massachusetts, his original home is on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Mrs. Sarah Noyes, (nee Hibbert), who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John" 3
  • Mr. Nicholas Noyes, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John", brother to James 3
  • Elizabeth Noyes, who settled in Massachusetts in 1638
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Noyes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • I. M. Noyes, who settled in New York state in 1822
  • E. S. Noyes, who settled in San Francisco in 1856
  • Arthur Noyes, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
  • Charles Noyes, aged 46, who settled in America from London, in 1892
  • B. B. Noyes, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1894
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Noyes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Charles F. Noyes, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1907
  • Agnes Noyes, aged 53, who immigrated to the United States, in 1908
  • Charles C. Noyes, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1909
  • Agnes H. Noyes, aged 55, who landed in America, in 1910
  • Alex D. Noyes, aged 52, who immigrated to America, in 1915
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Noyes migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Noyes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • A.R. Noyes, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Augustus" in 1844

Contemporary Notables of the name Noyes (post 1700) +

  • Florence Fleming Noyes (1871-1928), American classical dancer, eponym of The Noyes School of Rhythm
  • Walter Chadwick Noyes (1865-1926), American jurist, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (1907-1913)
  • William Curtis Noyes (1805-1864), American jurist
  • Paul Noyes, American football coach at Northwestern University in the 1893 season
  • Newbold Noyes Jr., (1918-1997), American publisher, journalist and newspaper editor
  • Joseph C. Noyes (1798-1868), American politician, United States Representative from Maine (1837-1839)
  • Harriet Newell Noyes (1844-1924), American Presbyterian educator, writer, and missionary who founded the True Light Middle School, the first women's school in Guangdong Province, China
  • William A. Noyes (1857-1941), American analytical and organic chemist, recipient of the Priestley Medal in 1935
  • Henry Halsey Noyes (1910-2005), American writer
  • Eliot Noyes (1910-1977), American architect and designer of the IBM Selectric in 1961
  • ... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Noyes 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. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm


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