Surname Bryce - Meaning and Origin

Bryce: What does the surname Bryce mean?

The surname Bryce is of Celtic and Gaelic origin. It is a variant of the name Brice, which itself originated as a given name in early Britain. The exact meaning of the name is disputed among scholars; however, most agree it holds the sentiment of "quick" or "swift". Some sources suggest it may also mean "speckled, freckled or having speckled eyebrows." It is also thought that the name may be derived from the Latin name "Bricius", which was popular among medieval clergy.

This surname was traditionally used in Scotland, with the earliest records of the Bryce family dating to the 12th century. Over time, it spread to other parts of the UK and later to the United States, Canada and Australia through immigration. Distinguished families bearing this name have played significant roles in politics, religion, academia and the regions' various economic sectors for centuries.

Bryce: Where does the name Bryce come from?

The surname Bryce primarily originates from Scotland, influenced by the popularity of the masculine given name Brice, which was derived from the Latin name "Brickius". This name gained popularity due to Saint Brice, a 5th-century Bishop of Tours. The surname Bryce likely became hereditary among families in Scotland sometime in the Middle Ages. It's also possible the name could have been adopted by bearers from the name of Bryce Canyon, a national park in Utah, USA.

The surname has variants including Bryson, Brice, and Price. Today, it's common in predominately English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It's especially common in Scotland due to its origins, and has a significant presence in the United States due to the waves of Scottish immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. Throughout the years, families bearing the surname Bryce have spread around the world, settling in many different countries.

Variations of the surname Bryce

The surname Bryce has variations including Brice, Bricius, Bries, Bryse, Breece, and Bryse. It can also be spelled as Brise, Brize, Breece, Bryice, and Bryse.

The name has Scottish origins and is often used both as a first and last name. In Scotland, it sometimes appears as Bricius or Bricus. Some claim it also has connections to the Welsh name "Rhys" or the Irish name "O’Brios."

There are several surnames that originated from Bryce. Examples include MacBryce, O’Bryce, Bryce-Smith, Bryce-Jones, and many others where the surname is hyphenated or prefixed.

In some cases, the surname has been Americanized with the spelling being changed slightly to make pronunciation easier for English speakers, hence the variations including Bryson and Brison. Other variations came from the diminutive forms such as Brycey, Brycie, Brycy and Brysey.

It is also worth noting that sometimes the name is used in a compound form such as Bryce-Williams, a patronymic surname meaning "son of Bryce". The spelling can change slightly in each of these instances, but the origin remains with Bryce.

Famous people with the name Bryce

• Bryce Dallas Howard: American actress and filmmaker, best known for her roles in "The Village" and the "Jurassic World" series.
• David Bryce: Well-known 19th-century Scottish architect.
• James Bryce: Irish academician and politician who served as British ambassador to the United States from 1907 to 1913.
• Lloyd Bryce: American author, editor, and Democratic congressman from New York.
• Trevor Bryce: Australian historian specializing in Ancient Near Eastern history.
• Quentin Bryce: First female Governor-General of Australia.
• Cameron Bryce: Scottish curler, participated in the World Junior Curling Championships.
• Elizabeth Bryce: Known by her stage name, Betsy King Ross, a child actor during the 1930s.
• Nolan Bryce: American surfer and social media influencer.
• Jordana Bryce: Canadian actress, featured in the TV show “Schitt’s Creek.”
• Stephen Bryce: Former professional Rugby League player from New Zealand.
• William Bryce (Bill): Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics.
• Fyffe Christie: British artist known as 'Fyffe Bryce', which was his real surname.
• Bryce Papenbrook: American voice actor who has done work for animations and video games.

Other surnames

Bryceson