10,041 Global LOY Family Members

LOY Family History

This famous surname is of early French origins, although equally popular in England. Recorded in such diverse spellings as Eloy, Eloi (France), Loy, Elloy, Elley, Gloy, Gley and Ley (England), the derivation is from the pre 7th century Latin "eligius" meaning to choose. The name achieved its initial popularity through St Eligius, the bishop of Noyon, who lived from 588 to 660 a.d. He originally trained as a goldsmith, and founded monasteries at Noyon, Paris and Solgnac. His principle emblem being a horseshoe, he is now regarded as the patron saint of goldsmiths, farriers and smiths. In England only one church was dedicated to him, this being at Shorthampton, Oxfordshire, but in Picardy and Flanders his influence is still widespread...