The surname Poitou was first found in Artois, a former province of northern France where this illustrious family held a family seat with lands and manor for many centuries. The family were well established in the region of Arras and several members of the family distinguished themselves through their contributions toward the community in which they lived and were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poitou research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1510 and 1581 are included under the topic Early Poitou History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Poteau, Potel, Poté, Posteau, Postel, Postheau, Posthiea, Potelier, Potellier, Potellerat, Potelle, Potteau, Poitou and many more.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jacqueline Potel, who settled in Canada; Andre Potel, who came to Quebec in 1760; Henry Postel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1801; Frederick Postel, who settled in Mississippi in 1852.
France
