Surname Hoye - Meaning and Origin
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Hoye: What does the surname Hoye mean?
The last name Hoye is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Old German word hoye, which translates to hedge or fence. This could indicate that the original bearer of the name was a person who either lived near a hedge or fence or worked in some capacity involving hedges and fencing. It could also be an occupational surname, referring to someone who tended hedges or built fences.
In some cases, the name could itself be a toponym, denoting somebody who originally hailed from the town of Hoye, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Over the centuries, this surname has spread throughout the German-speaking nations, with various derivatives emerging in Austria, Hungary and Switzerland.
Hoye is a popular name today, with many people bearing it in Germany, the United States and Canada. In the US, the name is particularly well represented in North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana. People bearing this name can also be found scattered around the rest of the world wherever German-speaking people have settled.
The name Hoye carries various implications and influences the people who bear it. For example, the name may denote strength of character and a capacity to work hard as a reference to its possible occupational origins. It could also signify a strong attachment to a certain place, referring to its potential toponymic meaning.
Whatever the original implications, the name Hoye is a lasting reminder of how far people and their families have come since the days of their forefathers.
Order DNA origin analysisHoye: Where does the name Hoye come from?
The last name Hoye is an uncommon surname today, however, it is most commonly found in Norway, Sweden, and some parts of Denmark, since it is of Scandinavian and Germanic origin. In particular, Hoye is most common in the regions of Telemark, Aust-Agder, Vest-Agder, and Oppland in Norway.
The meaning of the surname Hoye is ‘hill’ or ‘high land,’ and it could also be derived from a nickname meaning ‘the tall one.’ The earliest known records of the name Hoye date back to the mid-1600s and can be found in the records of the parish of Vårdal in Norway.
The name Hoye is less common outside of Scandinavia. There may be some descendants of the original Hoye families to be found in some parts of Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom today. A small number of individuals with the name Hoye have been recorded in the United States, although the surname appears only sporadically in US Census records.
The Hoye family name has played an important role in Norway’s history and heritage, and today there is a prominent family in Norway whose descendents all trace their roots back to the original Hoye families. One of the most famous members of the Hoye family is the 19th century author and poet, Peter Nilsen Hoye.
Variations of the surname Hoye
The spelling and variants of the surname Hoye can vary depending on the region and generation. Some common variants of Hoye include Hoey, Hoa, Hoi, Hoys, Hoyd, Hoay, Hoie, and Hooy. Many of these variants have their own distinct spellings and variations, such as Hoi having Hoiye, Hoey with Hoet, Hoa with Hoar, and Hoys with Hoiser.
The surname Hoye is of many different origins. Most notably, it can be derived from the Old French word "hoie", meaning "guardian," which is derived from the Latin word "guaesus". This suggests that the surname may have first been adopted by someone who held a position of guardianship over a large estate or region. The surname Hoye is also found in Ireland and can be derived from the Gaelic name O'hEodha, meaning ‘descendant of Eoghan.’
The surname Hoye is also found to be an anglicised form of two Gaelic surnames; Mac Aimhirgin and O'hOidhche. The former is derived from the personal name Aimilfheargadh, meaning ‘highly esteemed’, while the latter is derived from the descriptive phrase "Odhcheadh", meaning ‘nocturnal’ or ‘night-visiting'. There is also thought to be some Scandinavian influence, with the surname Hoye being a variant of Ho JRgensen, which is derived from the Old Norse personal name Ho JRger.
Overall, the lineage and spelling of the surname Hoye can vary greatly, with many unique spellings and origins to explore.
Famous people with the name Hoye
- Cary Hoye: Garrison Forest High School graduate and former professional American football player for the National Football League (NFL) who was drafted out of Wake Forest University in 1974.
- Prime Minister of the Bahamas Hubert Ingraham: He served three consecutive terms as Prime Minister of the Bahamas from 1992 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2012.
- Ken Hoye: Canadian indie rock singer-songwriter who released two albums on Global Symposium Music label before retiring from music in 2015.
- Sidney Hoye: English professional football player who played primarily for Bristol Rovers.
- Nicky Hoyle: British interior and set designer who regularly collaborates with theatres, film companies and musicians on a wide range of projects.
- Kevin Hoyle: English police officer who retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police at Greater Manchester Police.
- Tim Hoye: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc.
- Catriona Hoye: Scottish politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Scottish National Party.
- Sir John Hoye: British Member of Parliament for Kingston-upon-Hull South and Mayor of Kingston-upon-Hull from 1904 to 1906.
- Courtney Hoye: Canadian actress and former MTV VJ best known for her role as Felicity on the TV series The Best Years.