Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Troy

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Troy?

The surname Troy is of Greek origin. In Greek mythology, Troy was the city that was the focus of the Trojan War, a conflict between the Greeks and the city of Troy as told in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad. The name "Troy" likely comes from the city itself, which was known as "Ilios" in Greek. Over time, it has been adopted as a surname by individuals of Greek descent, and has since become a common surname in various parts of Europe.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Troy

The meaning and origin of the last name Troy

The surname Troy is an anglicized form of several different European names, primarily derived from the ancient city of Troy in present-day Turkey. In Old French, it was known as "Troie," and over time, this evolved into various forms in different languages, such as Trôi in French, Troye in Norman French, and Troia in Portuguese. The name was also brought to England by the Normans following their conquest of 1066, where it was anglicized to 'Troy.'

The use of Troy as a surname can be traced back to medieval times, often given to someone who had some connection with the ancient city or its culture. It has since become widespread across the English-speaking world and is also common in France and other regions with Norman ancestry. Notable individuals bearing the name include American filmmaker George Stevens Troy and Australian actor Troye Sivan Mellet, among others. The versatility of this surname reflects its rich history and cultural significance.

Geographical distribution of the last name Troy

The surname Troy is predominantly found in regions with historical ties to Ancient Troy, located in present-day Turkey. However, it has also been dispersed through migration and colonization over centuries. In Europe, significant concentrations can be found in France, particularly in the region of Brittany, where the name is believed to have originated as a Norman or Breton name. Additionally, the Troy family name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland due to Viking and Norman invasions. In North America, the last name Troy can be found among early French colonists in Canada and later English settlers in the United States, particularly in New England and areas settled by Scots-Irish immigrants. The distribution of the surname Troy also extends to Australia, South Africa, and other former British colonies due to 19th-century migration.

Variants and spellings of the last name Troy

The surname Troy has multiple variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common spelling variations include Troi, de Troie, du Troi, Troia, Troje, De Troja, Del Troio, Troiano, Trojanski, Trójski, Trøy, Troye, and Trøj. These variants may arise due to linguistic influences such as the French "de," Italian "di" or "del," Polish "del," and Norwegian "de." It's essential to note that the variations do not necessarily indicate separate family lines but rather differences in how the name was written down over the centuries.

Famous people with the last name Troy

Notable individuals with the surname Troy include Malcolm Troy, an American actor known for his roles in TV series such as "The Wire" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent". Another well-known figure is Robert Troy, an Irish politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Longford from 1977 to 2016. In the world of sports, Willie Troy was a professional American football player who played as a fullback for the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. Lastly, Ava Troy, born in Ireland, is a model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss World Ireland 2018 and represented Ireland at the Miss World 2018 pageant. These individuals represent diverse fields of entertainment, politics, and sports, demonstrating the versatility of the Troy surname.

Genealogical research on the last name Troy

The surname Troy is of Celtic origin and is believed to have been derived from the Old French word "troie," meaning "village" or "settlement." Historically, it was primarily found in Brittany, France. From there, it spread to other regions during the Middle Ages with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Troy family name is known to have branches in various parts of Europe, including Ireland and Scotland, where they were often associated with high status due to their Celtic roots. In Scotland, some members of the Troy clan took part in the Jacobite Rebellion in the 18th century. In America, the name was brought over by early settlers, with notable instances found in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, where they played significant roles in shaping the social, economic, and political landscape. The Troy surname has a rich history dating back to ancient times, reflecting its widespread dissemination and enduring legacy.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Troche

Last name • surnames > troche

The surname Troche is of Spanish origin and derives from the Occitan word "trocha," which means a measure of weight or a unit of land. It was originally a toponymic name for someon...

#2 Trocme

Last name • surnames > trocme

The surname Trocme is believed to have originated from the Occitan region in southern France. It is a toponymic name, derived from a place where the original bearer lived. The name...

#3 Trod

Last name • surnames > trod

The surname Trod is of English origin. It is derived from a nickname for a heavy or clumsy person, from Old Norse "tross" meaning 'thick' or 'heavy', and was often used as a byname...

#4 Troeger

Last name • surnames > troeger

The last name Troeger is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "trüeger," which means someone who carries a heavy load or a porter. The name likely orig...

#5 Troesch

Last name • surnames > troesch

The surname Troesch is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "trusch," meaning trust or faithful. It is likely an occupational surname for someone who wo...

#6 Troff

Last name • surnames > troff

The surname Troff is of German and Jewish origin. It is a variant of the German name Tropf, which derives from the Middle High German word "troffen," meaning to drop or trickle, re...

#7 Troi

Last name • surnames > troi

The last name "Troi" is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "trois," meaning "three." It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname for someone wh...

#8 Troilo

Last name • surnames > troilo

The surname Troilo is of Italian origin. It comes from the medieval given name "Troilo," which was derived from the Greek name "Troilos." This ancient Greek name means "of Troy" or...

#9 Troisi

Last name • surnames > troisi

The surname Troisi is of Italian origin, specifically from the southern region of Italy, particularly Sicily and Calabria. It is a variant of the more common Italian surname Trebbi...

#10 Troitsky

Last name • surnames > troitsky

The surname Troitsky (also spelled Troizky) is of Russian origin and derives from the geographical location named Troya (Троя), which was an ancient city near the present-day v...

#11 Trojak

Last name • surnames > trojak

The last name "Trojak" is of Polish origin. It is a surname that is derived from the Polish word "troje," which means "three." The name likely originated as a nickname for someone ...

#12 Trojan

Last name • surnames > trojan

The surname "Trojan" is derived from various sources, depending on the region. 1. In some cases, it may be a habitation name from Troyes, a city in northeastern France. This name ...

#13 Trojanovic

Last name • surnames > trojanovic

The last name "Trojanovic" is of Croatian origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the personal name of the father of the original bearer. In this case, it is...

#14 Troles

Last name • surnames > troles

The surname Troles has various origins due to its multifaceted nature, making a precise determination of its origin challenging. It can have different roots depending on the region...

#15 Tromans

Last name • surnames > tromans

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...