Recorded in several forms including du Bois, Dubois and the dialectals from the Midi of du Bosc, du Bose, and Dubose, this is a surname of French origins. It is either topographical from residence by or in a wood, or near a stand of trees surrounding a country manor, or from any of the various places called 'Bois' in France. The surname is particularly widespread in Northern France. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognizable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. As examples of early recordings on February 1st 1546, Francois, the son of Louis Dubois, was christened in Amboise, Indre-et- Loire, France. This name in its varied spellings was introduced into England from the 16th century by French Huguenot refugees, fleeing religious persecution in their own country. They are widely recorded in the registers of the French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London. These recordings include on October 7th 1604, the christening of Abraham Dubois, and later in 1670 Pierre Dubose is recorded in the same church on February 13th of that years. He is recorded at least six times thereafter, and is probably the 'father' of the surname in England. The first recorded spelling of the family name in surviving French church registers is shown to be that of Louis Dubois. This was dated March 1540, at Amboise, Indre-et-Loire, during the reign of King Francis 1st of France, 1515 - 1547. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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