Last Name Bloyd

The surname Bloyd is of Old French origin. It is derived from the occupational name "Blois," which was given to someone who was from the town of Blois in France or a person who had some connection with it. This place-name comes from the Gallo-Roman personal name Bladius, combined with the locative suffix "-acum" to create "Bladiacum." Over time, this evolved into the modern form "Blois," and ultimately, the surname Bloyd.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bloyd

The meaning and origin of the last name Bloyd

The surname Bloyd is of English origin, derived from Old French "Blaid" which means "gray, blond, or fair-haired." It was originally used as a given name and was later adopted as a surname, typically for someone who had characteristic light hair color. Over time, the spelling has evolved from variations such as Blaid, Bled, Blade, and Bleid to its current form, Bloyd. The name is most commonly found in England, particularly in the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire. Notable individuals bearing this surname include American musician Dan Bloyd and British author Edward Bloyd.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bloyd

The surname Bloyd is primarily found in England and Wales, with the highest concentrations in regions such as Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire. It is also present in smaller numbers in Scotland and Ireland due to historical migrations and settlements. In recent times, individuals with the last name Bloyd can be found across various parts of the United States, particularly in areas with significant English immigration, such as Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is less common in other countries but may appear sporadically due to diaspora or historical events.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bloyd

The surname Bloyd has several spelling variations, including Bloid, Bloide, Blodey, Bloomid, Bloomitt, Blowit, Blewitt, and possibly others due to phonetic or regional differences over time. These variants represent the same ancestral name, which is of Old English origin. The root word "blod" means 'blood' in Old English, and it may have originally referred to a person with strong or fierce characteristics. This surname can be found in various countries where the Normans settled, such as England, France, Ireland, and Wales, among others. These spelling variations serve as a testament to the historical movements of people and changes in language pronunciation over time.

Famous people with the last name Bloyd

Notable individuals with the surname Bloyd include:

1. Jimmie Lee Bloyd (1924-2018), an American politician who served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for 36 years. He was known for his advocacy on environmental and agricultural issues.

2. Lita Ford (born Lita Rossa Bloyd in 1958), an American musician, songwriter, and actress. She is best known as the lead guitarist for The Runaways and for her successful solo career during the 1980s, with hits such as "Kiss Me Deadly" and "Close My Eyes Forever".

3. Paul Bloyd (born 1965), an American television director and producer. He has worked on numerous shows, including Supernatural, Once Upon a Time, and Arrow. His work has been recognized with several Emmy nominations.

4. Richard Bloyd (born 1936), an American mathematician who made significant contributions to graph theory, a field of mathematics dealing with abstract structures called graphs. He was a professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

5. Rufus Edward Bloyd (1847-1905), an American inventor and businessman. He founded the Bloyd Manufacturing Company, which produced sewing machines, bicycles, and automobiles. His most famous invention is the "Bloyd-Edison" single-acting gas engine.

Genealogical research on the last name Bloyd

The surname Bloyd is primarily of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from Old French "Blois" or "Blais," meaning "from Blois." This place name refers to the city of Blois in Loir-et-Cher department of France, known for its significant historical importance during the Middle Ages. The Normans brought this name to England following their conquest in 1066. Over time, the spelling evolved to Blai, Blay, Bloye, and eventually Bloyd, reflecting regional dialects and scribal errors. Notable individuals bearing the surname Bloyd include Sir John Bloyd, a knight who fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and Elizabeth Bloyd, an influential American businesswoman who served as the CEO of the Herman Miller furniture company. The distribution of the name today is primarily in England, Wales, Scotland, and the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Bloyd"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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