SurnameDB – The Internet Surname Database

Underlined words are explained in our glossary.

This unusual name is one of the forms of the surname "Joseph", which derives from the , Joseph, from "Yosef", translating as "may Jehovah add (another son)". In England the personal name occurred very occasionally before the , as the name of a cleric, and is recorded in its form, Josephus, in the Book of 1086. The name was usually given in honour of St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, and Joseph of Arimathea, who was believed to have buried Jesus, and whom legend connects with Glastonbury and the Holy Grail, although it was not particularly popular until the 16th Century. A number of modern surnames derive from the personal name "Joseph", among them Jessop, Jessup, and the diminutive forms Joe, Josey, Jess, Jesse, Jessel and Jessett.

List Ancestral records for:- Josey

The marriage of Robert Josey and Annes Potter was recorded at St. Giles, Cripplegate, on July 6th 1589. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Joseph, which was dated 1191, The Hampshire , during the reign of King Richard 1, "Richard the ", 1189 - 1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as . Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing of the original spelling.
Your A4 printed scroll

Surname scroll

Josey Surname Scroll

Printed A4 parchment scroll · 8.3 × 11.7 in

Enjoy this name printed onto our colourful scroll, printed in Olde English script. An ideal gift.

Buy 2 or more scrollsGet free shipping
  • Printed and dispatched within 5 working days
  • Royal Mail delivery to almost anywhere in the world
  • Research exclusive to The Internet Surname Database
See all photos and details →
The MyHeritage DNA testing kit

Partner offer

Josey is one branch. Find the rest in your DNA.

MyHeritage DNA shows your origins across 2,114 regions and finds relatives through shared DNA.

Explore MyHeritage DNA (opens MyHeritage in a new tab)

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.

Historical records

Records about the Josey family

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.