Hoy

Hoy is a term with several meanings. In Spanish, hoy means today. In English, Hoy is also used as a proper noun, referring to a surname and to geographic place names.

The Isle of Hoy is the second-largest island in the Orkney archipelago, Scotland, located to the north of the Mainland and separated from it by Hoy Sound. The island is connected to the Mainland by regular ferry services, for example from Houton on the Mainland to Lyness on Hoy. Hoy is known for its rugged coastlines, moorland, and wildlife. Notable landmarks include the Old Man of Hoy, a sea stack off the west coast, and the Noup Head cliffs, a site for seabird colonies. The island supports small communities and farms and has a history of naval activity centered around the Lyness area.

Beyond its geographic sense, Hoy is also a surname of English and Scottish origin and appears in historical and contemporary records as a family name. The term’s use as a place name appears in various locations, with the Orcadian Hoy being the most prominent example.