Where does my name come from?

What is the heritage of my last name "Justice" and where does it come from?

• What is the heritage of my last name "Justice"? I have little info to go by because when my father was young he was "given" away to my Grandmother and Grandfather (his biological father). My Grandfather died when we were young. I do know that my father David Allen was born 12/09/1955 (I believe the year is correct) in Columbus Ohio and his biological mom (my real Grandma) last name is McGuire or McGwire. My Dads biological dad (my Grandfather) John Justice was born in West Virginia and resided there for some time I believe (last I knew he still has family in the "hills" there) before moving to Columbus Ohio and Flint Michigan where he worked for General Motors. Other than this information, my father has 1 bother Rolland Dale and I believe that he has a few half sister in the Columbus area but no one has contact with them. All relatives have are either unknown or died. I care what my heritage is and I am interested to know where I come from and where my last name is from.

• Answer:

  I found this for you, Surname: Justice This interesting English name has two possible sources the first being that it is a metonymic occupational name for a judicial officer, judge or justice of the Peace, which is attested from as early as the 12th Century when Norfolk records show that one William Justyse was a constable in Lews in 1253. However it may also be a nickname surname for a fair minded person, or one who played the part of judge in the Travelling Theatres or Pageants, at events such as the York and Chester plays, where it is recorded that in one such Chester play the speakers included, Veritas, Misericordia, Justitia, and Pax, translated as verity mercy, justice and peace. The derivation of this surname is from the Olde French pre 7th Century "justice" a derivative of the Latin "Justus" meaning up-right, honourable. One Howell Justice son of Robert Justice was christened on 20th December 1596 at St. Bride, Fleet Street, and one Jeremy Justice married Ann Staple on 3rd November 1595 at St. Dunstan's Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William La Justis, which was dated circa 1200, in the "Ancient Deeds of Suffolk", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. Hope this helps.