Show ContentsPocket History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Pocket family

The surname Pocket was first found in Lincolnshire where John Poucher was listed in the Modern Domesday Book. 1 While this is the first listing of the name in England, we must look further back to Brittany to find another origin of the name. For it is there that Poher was an ancient principality in the Early Middle Ages in Cornouaille in west-central Brittany. Judicael (died c. 888) held the title "princeps Poucher," controller of Poher. The aforementioned Bardsley reference claims that the name was an occupational name as in "the poucher, a maker of pouches, pokes or bags." 1

Early History of the Pocket family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pocket research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1317, 1349, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Pocket History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pocket Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Poucher, Pouchar, Powcher, Poacher and others.

Early Notables of the Pocket family

More information is included under the topic Early Pocket Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pocket family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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