Surname Duboyce - Meaning and Origin

Duboyce: What does the surname Duboyce mean?

Duboyce is a surname of French origin, which dates back to early medieval times. Its primary meaning is derived from “duboix”, which is an archaic French term for dove or wood pigeon. As such, it is believed to denote someone who was associated with hunting the birds, although it could also be a nickname for someone with a large stature or plump figure.

In the Middle Ages, many names were based on occupations, physical attributes, and other personal characteristics. It was a way for people to distinguish themselves from others in their family, their community, and their country, and also to give subtle clues about their lineage or origin.

The Duboyce surname likely originated in the central region of Normandy. It is an unusual name and so it usually appears in documentation and census records in its original spelling. Later related surnames such as Dubois and Dubos would have emerged as descendants of the original families moved to other parts of France and beyond.

Today, the Duboyce surname remains rare and those who carry it may be descended from one of the first families to bear the name. It may also have been adopted by other families since the Middle Ages who were simply looking for a unique and memorable moniker. No matter its origin, Duboyce is an unusual and distinctive name that has remained with those carrying it for centuries.

Duboyce: Where does the name Duboyce come from?

The last name Duboyce is believed to have originated in Devon, England in the 16th century. The family name is not particularly common today, with only one listing per million according to the 1990 US Census. Because of their early arrival in the region, the Duboyces have been found in various records in Devon, such as property rentals and taxation records. The family was known as one of the more prosperous local families, evidence of which can still be found in some of the older properties owned by the Duboyce family.

In modern times, the last name Duboyce is rarer than ever before. The name can be found scattered between the United Kingdom, Australia, United States, and Canada. The geographic distribution of the name suggests that with time, the family spread across the world, maintaining the same family name for the generations to come.

The people with last names like Duboyce can trace their lineage across the world. It is a reminder that even the smallest families can have the largest presence across the world. Though rare, those with the last name Duboyce can still hold a unique meaning which binds them with their many distant relatives.

Variations of the surname Duboyce

The surname Duboyce is derived from the French term ‘de Boice’ which is a patronymic name. It describes someone who is the child of a man named Boice. The name is also found in Ireland, primarily in county Cork and spells as Dabuice, Dabauice, Duboyce, and Dubauice. In Scotland, variations include Dubawce, Duwyse, Doubays, and Dubuice.

In England, the variations include Du Buoys, Du Buiys, Du Boies, Dubooys, Duboyce, De Bois, and Du Boise. In Wales, Gaelic variants are Du Buige, Du Boige, and Du Boyc. There can also be several Anglicised versions of the Gaelic variants such as MacBoyce, MacBuoyce, MacBuige, and MacBuige Boyce. Other variants include Dubais, Dubace, Duboce, Dubuce, Dobce, and Dubuce.

In America, the spelling of Duboyce can be found among the Huguenot immigrants that settled in Virginia. Other variants found include Dubuice, Dubica, Duboits, Dupuis, Dubice, Duboise, Dub uise, DuBois, DuPues, and Duboise.

In Canada, variations of Duboyce are found among Huguenot immigrants who settled in the province of Quebec and Ontario. Variations include Dubesce, Dubess, DuBias, Dubayse, Dubose, and Dubas.

Overall, there are numerous variations of the French surname Duboyce. However, the root origin and the meaning of the name remain the same: a French patronymic surname of someone who is the son of a man named Boice.

Famous people with the name Duboyce

• Megan duBuisson Duboyce (American socialite, executive assistant, and philanthropist)
• Tad Duboyce (American basketball player)
• Lyle Duboyce (American professional basketball player)
• David DuBois (American Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient)
• Johann Conrad Duboyce (German painter and sculptor)
• Gaylen Duboyce (American actor)
• Hilbert Duboyce (American baseball player)
• Max Duboyce (British rally motorist)
• Stephan Duboyce of Duboyce Gray & Co. (American investment and private banking firm)
• Richard Duboyce (British politician)
• Norina Duboyce (American soccer player)
• Evan Duboyce (American sprinter)
• Hugues Duboyce (French gymnast)
• Paul Duboyce (Canadian film director)
• Vince Duboyce (Australian professional rugby league footballer)
• Simon Duboyce (South African cricketer)
• Pauline Duboyce-Musovu (America-Ugandan ice skater)

Other surnames

Duboys