Surname Jossy - Meaning and Origin
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Jossy: What does the surname Jossy mean?
The last name Jossy is of French origin and is derived from the French word "josseau" which translates to "small stream". The surname was likely given to those who lived near a small stream or creek. It also may have been a nickname given to someone who was small and agile.
The Jossy surname is typically found in northern France and in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland and Canada. Those bearing the name Jossy likely have Huguenot or Walloon ancestry, descendants of French-speaking Protestants who lived in the lower parts of Belgium, France, and Germany.
The Jossy name is most commonly found in the United States, especially in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Some of the earliest recordings of the surname in the United States include Thomas Jossy in Massachusetts in 1637, and William Jossy in Pennsylvania in 1739.
The name Jossy is usually associated with kindness, altruism, and connections with family and friends. Those with the surname Jossy are seen as trustworthy, honorable, and devoted people, making them great friends and admired family members.
Order DNA origin analysisJossy: Where does the name Jossy come from?
The surname Jossy is an uncommon last name today, but may have originated from various parts of the world. In the United States today, the surname is most commonly found in areas near Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It’s also found in some parts of Canada, mainly near Ontario and Quebec.
The name Jossy could have originated from either of several areas in Europe. For example, it could have originated in Germany, or in Romania (known in ancient times as Dacia). It could also have come from France (where it may have originated as Josse), the Netherlands (as Josse), or even Scotland (as Joce).
The name is thought to be patronymic in origin, which means that its original form was the first name of some ancestor, such as Jonas, Josef, etc., followed by the suffix “–s” to show that it was a son or family member of that ancestor. The family name was then passed down for successive generations.
It’s also possible that the family took its name from a place—such as Jossy in France—which could explain why the surname is found in multiple countries. Whatever the origin, today the surname Jossy is quite uncommon and found only in a few areas.
Variations of the surname Jossy
The surname Jossy is likely derived from Latin or French roots and is commonly spelled with a single 's'. Variations of this surname include Josy, Josse, Jossey, and Jossee. Depending on the nationality, Jossy can also appear as Josi, Josselyn, Josselyne, Jocelyn, Jocilyn, Jocielin, and Jocilin.
In England, the surname has known to be used interchangeably with Jocelyn, derived from Latin, meaning "member of the gens going by the name of Gaut". The French spelling of Jossy is Josse, derived from the biblical figure called Josse, son of King David, and is usually considered to be a variant of Joss.
In the United States, the spelling Jossey has been found to be associated with the Welsh language, and is most likely derived from the Old English name Iorwerth, meaning 'handsome lord'.
In Ireland, the surname is commonly spelled with a 'y' at the end and is derived from the name of the O'Seghain family (from the Gaelic word 'seachan' meaning 'hawk'), which was later anglicised as Jossy.
Jossy may also appear as Jostes, Jost, Jossefiene, Joste, Jossefien, Jossle, Josslyn, Joselyn, Jossephine, Josslynn, Jossie, Jolfs, Jollis, Jole, Joles, and Joleson. All of these forms are believed to be variations of the same root name, Jossy.
Famous people with the name Jossy
- Tom Jossy: Former American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate
- Joseph Jossy: American actor, film producer, and director who is best known for his work in movies like Flawless and The Bridge.
- Louis Philippe Jossy: Canadian actor and filmmaker who has credited appearances in films such as The Changeling and La Vie en Rose.
- Louise Jossy: French actress who appeared in the television series Les Gens Du Sud and the film Fred et Silvie.
- Michel Jossy: French journalist and television executive who was the former president and CEO of the France 2 television network.
- Patrick Jossy: Swiss journalist and former editor in chief of the daily newspaper Le Matin.
- Monika Jossy: Austrian artist who is best known for her work in painting and sculpture.
- Diane Jossy: American artist and sculptor who has exhibited widely across the United States and Europe.
- Pierre Jossy: French film director and screenwriter who has worked on such films as Les Tontons Flingueurs and Baisers Voles.
- Adrian Jossy: Argentinean film director and screenwriter who is best known for his work on films such as Cuentos de Adas and Como Salvar una Vida.