Ellyce

The name Ellyce is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is a variation of the name Alice, which is derived from the Old French name Alis, itself a form of the German name Adalheidis. The name Adalheidis is composed of the Germanic elements "adal," meaning "noble," and "heid," meaning "kind" or "sort." The spelling Ellyce emerged as an alternative to Alice in medieval England.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Ellyce was Ellyce de Gorham, a 13th-century English landowner mentioned in historical records from Norfolk. The name also appears in the 14th-century literary work "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer, where a character named Ellyce is mentioned in the "Reeve's Tale."

In the 16th century, Ellyce Throckmorton (1518-1554) was a prominent figure in English history. She was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine Parr and became involved in the Protestant Reformation. Her husband, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, was a diplomat and member of Parliament.

Another notable bearer of the name was Ellyce Redmayne (1560-1624), an English landowner and philanthropist. She was a benefactor of several charitable causes and helped establish schools and almshouses in her local community.

In the 17th century, Ellyce Feilding (1630-1696) was a prominent English noblewoman and courtier. She served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Catherine of Braganza and was known for her wit and intelligence.

The name Ellyce also appears in literary works, such as the 18th-century novel "The History of Sir George Ellison" by Sarah Fielding, where one of the characters is named Ellyce Ellison.

While the name Ellyce has been used throughout history, it has remained relatively uncommon compared to its more popular variant, Alice. However, it has maintained a distinct charm and connection to its noble origins and literary associations.