There are various theories about the origin of the Brice surname. This is not the only surname project investigating Brice or its alternate spellings. Other projects include Bruce (with a focus on the Scottish origination or variation), Bryson (with a broader approach to the surname’s formation), and Briese (most commonly of German origin).

The meaning and history attributed to the name include German, Dutch and French origins. A common definition is given here:

French,English, and Scottish: from a personal name of Celtic origin (Latinized as Bri(c)tius, Bric(c)ius, or Brixius), which was borne by a 5th-century saint who succeeded St. Martin as bishop of Tours. Consequently, it became a popular given name in France and Germany in the early Middle Ages. It was imported to England and Scotland by the Normans. Welsh: Anglicized form of the patronymic ap Rhys ‘son of Rhys’ (see Reese).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013,Oxford University Press

Another origin of the Brice surname is given as:

(origin: Welsh.)A contraction of Ap Rice, the son of Rice, which is the same as Rhys or Rhees(see Rhees). Brys, Welsh, haste, quick, lively.

Arthur, William(1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. NewYork: Sheldon, Blakeman. https://britishsurnames.co.uk/surname/brice,accessed Jan 6. 2018.

A glance at the1881 census in the United Kingdom shows the largest concentration of Brices in SomersetCounty.