Surname Toye - Meaning and Origin
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Toye: What does the surname Toye mean?
The surname Toye is of several possible origins. It might have derived from the Old French term "toier" or "toyer", given to people who had occupation of cloth fuller, the one who prepares woolen cloth to be made into clothes. A fuller's primary task was to clean or scour the raw cloth. Hence, it might represent a person from that occupation.
The surname can also be of Anglo-Saxon origin, signifying a personal name "Togi" or "Tovi." Moreover, it could be of Irish origin, having evolved from the Gaelic name O'Tuathaidh, which meant "descendant of Tuathach.” Tuathach means "ruler of the people."
Furthermore, it is also found as a nickname deriving from Middle English "toy(e)" meaning a toy, trinket, or a playful person.
As with most surnames, it might have different roots in different countries or cultures, or even within sections of the same country. Hence, the exact meaning or origin could vary based on the regional and historical context of the bearer of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisToye: Where does the name Toye come from?
The last name Toye is most commonly found in France, particularly in the Île-de-France region, as well as the nearby regions of Picardy, Champagne-Ardenne, and Normandy. It is also common in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and other parts of Europe. Toye is a relatively uncommon name elsewhere, but there are some occurrences in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
In France, the last name Toye originated in the late 1500s, according to records from the area. It is thought that it likely derived from the Germanic language, which was once spoken in the area. The name means 'someone from Tuoni', which was likely an old name for the area known today as Beauvais.
There are about 2,750 Toyes in France today, and most of them are located in the Île-de-France region. Similarly, there are about 800 Toyes in the Netherlands, and a somewhat larger amount in Belgium and Germany.
In the United States, the last name is rarer, but there is a small but growing number of Toyes in the country. Analysis of the 2000 US census showed about 57 Toyes scattered throughout the country, with most living in California, New York, and Washington.
Although Toye is not as common as some other last names, it is still somewhat widespread throughout the world. With an interesting origin and growing numbers in some countries, this last name will likely continue to exist in various parts of the world for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Toye
The surname Toye has a number of variants, alternate spellings and surnames of similar origin. Spelling variants include Tooye, Toeye, Tohye, Towey and Tooey, while surnames with similar origins include Toee, Toey, Tooey, Toohy and Tooe.
The surname Toye is believed to have originated as a nickname derived from the Middle English word "toye" which means "tomorrow", perhaps given to someone with a penchant for always looking to the future. The Toye surname can be traced back to the 14th century in England and Scotland, although it is possible that the surname dates back even further given that historically surnames were not commonplace until relatively recently and were not necessarily recorded in documents or records.
Toye may also derive from the Old French word "toie", meaning "quarrel" or "altercation". This could suggest that the ancestor of the Toye family had a reputation for being argumentative or enjoying a good argument.
The Toye surname is also found in some parts of Europe, such as France and Germany. It is thought to have spread to these countries through Huguenot settlers who first came to England in the 1500s. In these countries, the variants Toie, Toe and Toey are often found.
Finally, Toye is a surname of Jewish origin from Eastern Europe. It is believed to have derived from Te either as a shortened form of Yitzchok or Tzvi, two very common Jewish first names.
Famous people with the name Toye
- Kofi Toye- Member of the National Democratic Congress and former Ghana Ambassador to China
- Helen Toye- British author and journalist
- Admiral Kwasi Bahme Toye- Ghanaian naval officers
- Wavel Ramkalawan- Seychelles political leader and party leader of the Seychelles National Party
- Toye Adelaja- Nigerian actor, medical doctor, and film producer
- Stephen Toye- British actor
- Tom Toye- Former Dutch international footballer
- Kristi Toye- American celebrity makeup artist
- Boom Jones- American R&B producer
- Sarah Toye- Australian disability advocate