Bryce (surname)

The surname Bryce is of Scottish origin, and occasionally English. It is derived from the given name "Brice," which itself has complex roots. Several possible origins are proposed for the given name:

• Saint Brice of Tours: The most commonly cited origin is from Saint Brice (also known as St. Britius), the fifth-century successor to Saint Martin as Bishop of Tours in France. This links the name to Gaulish (Celtic) roots. The name could have spread through Europe following the veneration of the saint.

• Brychan: Another theory suggests a connection to the Welsh name Brychan, meaning "speckled" or "freckled." Brychan Brycheiniog was a 5th-century king in Wales, and it is possible the name travelled north into Scotland.

• Gaelic/Celtic element: The name Brice may also contain a Gaelic or Celtic element meaning "swift" or "vigorous."

The surname Bryce is found predominantly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, suggesting the strong influence of Scottish emigration and settlement. It may also be found in other English-speaking countries due to historical migration patterns.

Notable people with the surname Bryce include:

• James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce: (1838 – 1922), a British jurist, historian, statesman, diplomat, and academic. He was British Ambassador to the United States from 1907 to 1913.

• Quentin Bryce: (born 1942), an Australian academic and lawyer who served as the 25th Governor-General of Australia, from 2008 to 2014.

Variations of the surname include Brice, Bryse, and Bryson (though Bryson can also have other independent origins).