The surname ‘Boyce’ originates from England. It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a wood, derived from the Old English word ‘biis’ meaning wood. It is also a ptronymic from the Middle English ‘boy’ meaning lad, servant. In some cases it may derive from the Old English personal name ‘Boia’ or a continental Germanic cognate of this, both being of uncertain origin. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive’s has confirmed that the surname ‘Boyce’ and or it’s variant’s, dates as far back as the 14th century were a ‘Katerina Boyse’, from the county of Yorkshire, England, is recorded on Poll Tax records in 1379. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive’s confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain ‘Janet Boyce’, aged 16, a spinster, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. She emigrated to North America in 1774, sailing from the Port of Greenock aboard the ship named the ‘Commerce’ on the 3rd of …
Coat of arms: Argent on a bend sable thr…