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COY Family History

Recorded in several forms including Coy, Coye and Coie, this is an English surname. It is medieval and locational, and originates from a place now called Quy. Formerly spelt in the 12th century "Coeia" it was to be found in the parish of Stow, in the county of Cambridge. In ancient times this place must have been an island in the fen, because the name translates at "Cow Island" from the pre 7th century elements "cu eg". All the early recordings are to be found in Canbridgeshire, suggesting that the original nameholders were also the lords of the manor of Quy.