This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'del Bois,' from residence by or in a wood; compare French Dubois, and English Wood and Attwood.

Thomas del Boyz, Dorset, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Ralph del Boys, Norfolk, ibid.

Henry du Boys, 1313. Writs of Parliament.

Katerina Boyse, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Richard Bosse, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

John de Boy, rector of Fincham, Norfolk, 1350: History of Norfolk.

Robert de Bosco, or Boys, rector of Fritton, Norfolk, 1300: History of Norfolk.

1590. Baptised — John, s. Thomas Boys: Canterbury Cathedral.

1504. John Bots, Kent: Register of the University of Oxford.

1760. Married — John Fendall and Satanna Boyce: St. George, Hanover Square.

From AF. del Bois, in or by the wood, Latinized in early charters de Bosco. compare French Dubois and English Attetoood. The s was preserved as a voiceless consonant, and the name rhymes with voice and choice, Hugo Delboys witnessed a confirmation charter by Hugh, bishop of St. Andrews, between 1185—88 (Scon, p. 32). Richard del Bois witnessed a confirmation charter of the fishery in Torduf between 1194—1211 (Holm Cultram, p. 35), and as Richard de Bosco witnessed resignation of lands in Weremundebi and Anant within the same period (Bain, I, 606). Walterus de Bosco witnessed a charter by Robert de Bruce c. 1190 (Annandale, I, p. 1). Willelmus de Bosch or de Bosco, cancellarius domini regis, appears frequently as witness in the chartularies of Soltre, Glasgow, Kelso, Brechin, and Arnbroath between 1189—1222. Gaufridus de Bosco, Humphrey de Bosco, and Thomas de Bosco appear as charter witnesses between 1215—45 (Bain, I, 1682; Neubotle, 27; BMP., p. 89; RD., p. 44). Robert Boys is recorded in Dumfriesshire, c. 1259 (Bain, I, 2176; APS., I, p. 88). Humfridus de Bosco, knight, witnessed a charter by Robert Bruce, earl of Carrick, p. 1271 (Annandale, I, p. 8). Thomas de Boys of Edinburghshire and Patrick fiz Johan de Boys of Lanarkshire rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 201,213). Humphrey de Boyes, knight, of Dumfriesshire, also rendered homage, 1296. His seal bears the forepart of a monster, tongue protruded, emerging from waves, S' Hvmfridi de Bosco (ibid., p. 185,531). James de Bosco of Paris petitioned for a benefice in the gift of the abbot and convent of Holywood in the diocese of St. Andrews, 1345 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 95), and Thomas Boyis was tenant under the earl of Douglas in Garvald, 1376 (RHM., 1, p. lviii). John of Bowys, Scots prisoner of war in the Tower of London was liberated, 1413 (Bain, IV, 839), and James of Boys had a safe conduct into England, 1422 (ibid., 914). William of Boyis was witness in St. Andrews, 1435 (Laing, 115), and James de Boyis was bailie of the Abbey of Arnbroath, 1446 (RAA., II, 87). Patrick Boyce or Boyiss appears as treasurer of Brechin, 1493 and 1511 (REB., II, 138,164), and Alexander Bowis is recorded in Mains of Melgond, 1703 (St. Andrews CR.). There was an old family of this name in Panbride. Alexander Boys de Panbrid is in record, 1502 (RAA., II, 427), and Patrick Boys was portioner of Panbrid, 1527 (Panmure, II, 305). Hector Boece, the historian, was of this family. He and his brother Arthur Latinized their name as Boethius, Boetius, Boecius. In the fifteenth century in addition to the spellings already noted the name appears as Bois, Boist, Boiste, Bos, Bost, Boust, Bowes, Boyes, Boyess, Buste; in sixteenth century: Boas, Boeis, Boess, Boice, Boies, Boise, Boiss, Bouse, Bowayse, Boyse, Buse; in seventeenth century: Boes, Boos Boost, Bows, Boze, Bozse. These forms are found only in Fife or in parishes immediately adjoining, and the name is probably the source of Buist, which see.

(French-Teut.) Dweller at a Wood [French bois, Low Latin boscus, busc-us, O.H.Ger. busc, a bush, wood] Ralph del Boys.—Hundred Rolls This name was Latinized De Bosco in mediæval records.

“Young Man” or “Servant” in Old English.

(French) Dweller near or in, a wood.

The name of the Scottish historian Boethius, spelt Boece and Boyce, may be derived from the French bois-wood.

Originally Bois-a wood, a forest.

The name of Boyce was in the county two centuries ago. De Boys is a much older form of the name. In the reign of Edward III. Christina de Boys held two and a half hides of land in Thorndon (N.).