Meaning & History
Josse is the French form of the medieval masculine name Iudocus, which traces back to the Breton name Judoc. Derived from the Celtic element meaning "lord", Judoc belonged to a 7th-century Breton saint. Breton settlers brought the name to England after the Norman Conquest, where it appeared as Joyce. It became rare after the 14th century but was later revived as a feminine name, partly due to confusion with the Middle English word joise "to rejoice".
Saint Judoc was venerated in Brittany, and his cult spread to Normandy and beyond. The name's Latinized form Jodocus also found favor in medieval Europe, notably in the Picardy region of France, where it was borne by a 13th-century lord. The French spelling with 'j' reflects vernacular adaptations, aligning with names like Joost used in Dutch.
Josse remains a distinctively Breton name in modern times, sometimes confused with the English surname Joyce, which originated from the same root. Related medieval forms include Judoc, Jodoc, and Jodocus.
- Meaning: "lord"
- Origin: Breton via Latin Iudocus
- Type: Given name
- Usage: French, Medieval French