Discover people named Hephzibah Joyce

The last name Joyce has its origins in both English and Irish contexts, with the English variant deriving from the Old French name "Jocelyn," which itself comes from the Latin "Iodocus," meaning "lord." The name was first recorded in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century and later became associated with the Anglo-Norman nobility. In Ireland, Joyce is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Seóirse," which means "son of Seóirse," and is linked to the ancient Gaelic clan in County Galway. The name is often associated with characteristics of leadership and nobility, reflecting the status of those who initially bore it. Variations of the surname can be found across different cultures, including "Joys" in England and "Joyce" in France, with some regional spellings like "Joice" or "Joycelyn" appearing in historical records. The name has maintained its popularity over the centuries, with notable bearers including the famous Irish writer James Joyce, further embedding the surname in literary history.