Surname Voyles - Meaning and Origin
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Voyles: What does the surname Voyles mean?
The surname Voyles is of Welsh origin. It was a name given to someone who originated from "Foel," a locality in Wales that translates to "bare hill" in English. This indicates that the early bearers of the Voyles surname likely hailed from areas around such geographical features. The surname over time underwent linguistic transformations with the word "Foel" reportedly becoming "Voyle" and then "Voyles." Like many other surnames of Welsh origin characterized by the prefix 'ap' or 'ab' (meaning 'son of'), it began as a patronymic name. Thus, 'Ap Foel’ changed to 'UpVoyle', and finally to 'Voyles.' It is also possible that some bearers of the surname came from Foelas, a locality in Denbighshire. Thus, Voyles, as a surname, is linked to a person's geographic origin. However, interpretations could slightly vary as surnames often have multiple roots and evolved over centuries affected by migration, scholarly interpretation, transcription errors, and linguistic evolution.
Order DNA origin analysisVoyles: Where does the name Voyles come from?
The name Voyles is not particularly common today, though it does show up in various parts of the world. Most notably, it is common in the United States. The US Census Bureau lists Voyles or variants of the name as being the 5448th most common surname in the US. It is most commonly found in the southern and midwestern states with Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama showing the highest concentrations.
Outside of the US, Voyles is most common in Canada, specifically in the province of Ontario. There are numerous Voyles found in the UK as well, though they are mainly concentrated in the south-eastern regions of the country.
The surname Voyles can also be found in recent immigration records from other countries such as France, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, andRussia. It has also been known to show up in records as far back as the 1600s in parts of Germany and the Czech Republic.
For those of us who bear the name Voyles, it may be interesting to know how widespread we are throughout the world. From the mountains of Tennessee to the pastures of Belgium, we represent a family name that has spanned centuries and crossed oceans.
Variations of the surname Voyles
The surname Voyles has several spellings and variations, including Voyles, Voyle, Voiles, Voils, Voles, Vailes, and Vaughles. Voyles is a form of the French surname Vaux, which may be derived from “Vallis,” or “valley.” The surname is common in the United States and in Great Britain.
The Voyles family has roots in England, France, and Scotland, where they were descended from Normandy nobility from the Duchy of Normandy. The family has also been found in Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Spain. During the eighteenth century, several Voyles family members migrated to North America, settling in Maryland, Canada, and the United States. In the 1800s, some members of the Voyles family moved to Australia.
The surname Voyles is most commonly found in the United States and Great Britain, where it is associated with a wide range of occupations such as railroad clerks, janitors, farmers, grocers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, miners, loggers, and miners. Voyles family members often formed their own small communities, often on the outskirts of a larger town or city. There were also several Voyles associated with military activities and the Civil War.
Other variations of the Voyles surname can also be found in various English-speaking countries. In some areas of Scotland, the name has been spelled Vail or Vaile. In some cases, Voyles has been used as a nickname for those with the surname Voight. Variations of the name such as Voles, Vails, Vaile, Voiles, Viles, Vyle, Vaughles, Vighles, and Vahles can also be found.
The Voyles surname is associated with strong family ties, a diverse heritage, and a longstanding history across several countries and continents. It is a sturdy and resilient name that has withstood the passage of time and has come to represent strength, resilience, courage, and loyalty.
Famous people with the name Voyles
- Jeff Voyles: Jeff Voyles is an American country music artist who has been active in the country music industry since the mid-1980s.
- Craig Voyles: Craig Voyles is a retired NFL coach who most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014-2019.
- Marshall Voyles: Marshall Voyles is a former professional baseball pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1971–1978.
- Gail Voyles: Gail Voyles is a poet and lecturer who has authored six collections of poems and numerous essays over the span of her writing career.
- F. Dean Voyles Jr.: F. Dean Voyles Jr. is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Barbara Voyles: Barbara Voyles is an American actress.
- Gary Voyles: Gary Voyles is an American game designer, professional card player, and poker enthusiast.
- Luethel Voyles: Luethel Voyles is a celebrity chef, TV personality, and founder of the food blog “Follow Your Vibe”.
- John C. Voyles: John C. Voyles is an American lawyer who served as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana from 1969 to 1997.
- Bill Voyles: Bill Voyles is an American motion picture writer, producer, and director.
- Joseph P. Voyles: Joseph P. Voyles was an American Major General in the United States Marine Corps.
- John B. Voyles: John B. Voyles was an American Air Force lieutenant general who served as Vice Commander, Strategic Air Command from 1977 to 1979.
- Benny Voyles: Benny Voyles was an American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers in 1948.
- Karen Voyles: Karen Voyles is an American journalist, writer, and former editor of The Gainesville Sun.