Can anyone suggest a meaning for the medieval Latin word "Poyus,probably an abbreviation?

Question

This is a male forename, Nom. Poyus, Gen. Poyi, found quite frequently in 17C parish registers. It is almost certainly contracted, i.e. letters havebeen omitted for brevity

Answer 1

The only names I can think of that are close are Polybius and Polycarpus. Polybius was a Greek historian ca. 200 BC, and St. Polycarp was an early Catholic martyr (aD 155). I suspect that it is probably in reference to the latter, if the name is in church registers. The Latinized version of Polycarp is Polycarpus. The name was in use in the medieval period, and I know a Mexican family who used the name Polycarpo as a first name for several generations. We don't use it here in America, though.

Answer 2

Are you sure it's a name? I was thinking it could be an eccentric speling for the epithet, "pius". Are these English parish records, or is it from somewhere else in Europe?

Answer 3

Hey tattiebogle,

Nothing yet. When I first saw your question I thought: "Sure I can! Pontius..." well, I misread the word.
Perhaps a quick visit to your local college library might help.