Find out how popular the first name Foy has been for the last 32 years (from 1974 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Foy by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Foy is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Foy.

The history of the first name Foy

The name Foy originates from the Old French word "fei", meaning faith or belief. It has its roots in the Latin word "fides", which also means faith or trust. The name Foy was commonly used in medieval France and England during the 12th and 13th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Foy can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Foy de Montfort", referring to a Norman nobleman who held lands in Warwickshire.

In the 12th century, Foy de Lusignan was a French nobleman and crusader who participated in the Third Crusade. He was captured by Saladin's forces during the Battle of Hattin in 1187 and later ransomed.

Saint Foy (also known as St. Faith or St. Fides) was a young Christian girl who was martyred in the 3rd or 4th century during the Diocletianic Persecution. She was widely venerated in medieval Europe, and several churches and monasteries were dedicated to her.

In the 15th century, Foy de la Neuville was a French military commander who fought for the Burgundian faction during the latter stages of the Hundred Years' War. He was present at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Another notable figure with the name Foy was Foy Vaillant, a French goldsmith and sculptor who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He is best known for his intricate gold and silver vessels, which are now housed in various museums around the world.

The name Foy was not as widely used after the 17th century, but it continued to appear occasionally throughout history. For example, Foy Codrington was a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Foy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Foy, please contact us.

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