Joyce surname: meaning and origin
Joyce means from a Breton personal name, Jodoc, meaning lord. It is a Welsh or Cambro-Norman family that came to Ireland after 1169 from Galway (Connemara).
| Irish form | Seoighe |
|---|---|
| Meaning | from a Breton personal name, Jodoc, meaning lord |
| Home region | Galway (Connemara) (Connacht) |
| Origin | Welsh-Norman |
| Variants | Joice |
History of the Joyce name
The Joyces came to Ireland from Wales in the thirteenth century and settled in Connemara, where they became so numerous that the area was called Joyce Country.
More surnames from Connacht
- Burkede Búrca · of the fortress or town
- ConnollyÓ Conghaile · descendant of Conghal
- O'ConnorÓ Conchobhair · descendant of Conchobhar
- EganMac Aodhagáin · son of Aodhagán
- FlanaganÓ Flannagáin · descendant of Flannagán
- HigginsÓ hUiginn · descendant of Uiginn
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Joyce mean?
Joyce (Irish: Seoighe) means from a Breton personal name, Jodoc, meaning lord.
What is the Irish spelling of Joyce?
The Irish-language form of Joyce is Seoighe.
Where is the surname Joyce from?
Joyce is a Welsh or Cambro-Norman family that came to Ireland after 1169, associated with Galway (Connemara) in Connacht.
What are other spellings of Joyce?
Related spellings and forms include Joice.