Surname Justice - Meaning and Origin

A Personal Voyage Through iGENEA DNA Testing: Saying Hello to My Past and Understanding the Roots of 'Justice'

My iGENEA DNA testing journey was an enlightening deep-dive into my lineage, particularly the heritage of the surname Justice. The robust methodologies used and the precise data gleaned from autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial DNA revealed an elaborate picture of my ancestry, tracing back to dynastic era and led to fascinating revelations about the origins and evolution of my surname. The also test instilled a sense of community, introducing me to a network of fellow researchers and genealogy professionals.

C. Justice

Justice: What does the surname Justice mean?

The surname Justice is derived from the Old French word "justice", meaning "righteousness, equity". It was originally an occupational name for a judge or a judicial officer, or perhaps a nickname for someone who conducted themselves with honesty and fairness. The word entered Middle English through the Norman French after the Conquest of 1066. It is also found in Scottish records dating back to the 12th century. Throughout history, various spellings of this surname such as Justis, Justiss, Justeous, and Josteus have been recorded. Overall, the surname Justice is reflective of principles of integrity and fairness.

Justice: Where does the name Justice come from?

The surname Justice is of Anglo-French origin and was initially used as a nickname for someone who played the role of a judge or an officer of justice. It evolved from the Middle English word "justise," derived from the Old French term "justice," meaning "rightness, equity," and "justise," a judge's office. English and French in the Middle Ages also used it as a personal name.

The Justice surname was first found in Perthshire, a large county in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very early times. Over time, as people moved or were forced to migrate, the name spread south to England and across the Atlantic to North America.

Today, the surname Justice is most prevalent in the United States, with a significantly higher concentration in West Virginia. The name is also commonly found in England, Australia, Canada, and Scotland, as per the genealogical records. Despite its initial prominence in Scotland, its prevalence there has lessened over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Justice

The surname Justice is believed to have been derived from the Old French word "justice," which means "righteous" or "fair." Variations of the last name can include Justice, Justis, Justus, Justes, Joste, Jostice, Jostes, Justise, and Justyce, among others.

In addition to varying spellings, there are several surnames that are likely of the same or similar origin. For example, Just, Juste, Justen, Justin, and Justyn could all be derived from the root word "just." Other potentially similar surnames include Justison, Justason, and Justesen.

There is also a possibility that the surname Justice has evolved or been anglicized from non-English surnames with a similar meaning. Examples could be Giusto from Italian, Justo from Spanish, or Juste from French.

However, it's worth noting that since "Justice" is a fairly common word with a clear meaning, its usage as a surname could have originated independently in different cultures. Therefore, not all surnames that seem to be variants or of the same origin may actually be related. Ancestry and genealogy studies could provide more definitive conclusions.

Famous people with the name Justice

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Late Supreme Court Justice and famed social justice advocate.
• Meek Mill: Talented hip-hop artist and criminal justice reform activist.
• Sonia Sotomayor: Current Supreme Court Justice and justice advocate.
• O. J. Simpson: Infamous athlete and murderer, acquitted of his charges.
• John Roberts: Chief Supreme Court Justice since 2005 and proponent of legal theory.
• Clarence Thomas: Current Supreme Court Justice and legal conservative.
• Johnnie Cochran: Prominent attorney and defense lawyer in celebrity criminal cases.
• Bob Barr: Libertarian politician and former congressional representative.
• Johnnie Justice: Country musician, songwriter, and Arkansas native.
• Pat Moorer: Retired NBA player and civil rights advocate.
• Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III: Former Attorney General of the United States.
• McKinley Justice: Old-time fiddle player from Steele, Missouri.
• Janine Brito: Stand-up comedian, writer, and co-host of Punchline on FX.
• Catholics for Social Justice: Catholic non-profit organization devoted to social justice causes.
• Young Justice: American animated television series developed by DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation.

Other surnames

JustiJustinJustingJustis