Why are many clowns refered to ask Joey's? Performaning arts

When i did it was 6 on the thing

In the early 1800s, Joseph Grimaldi expanded the role of Clown in the harlequinade that formed part of British pantomimes, notably at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the Sadler's Wells and Covent Garden theatres. He became so dominant on the London comic stage that the harlequinade role of Clown became known as " Joey"