Show ContentsPollins Surname History

Early Origins of the Pollins family

The surname Pollins was first found in Somersetshire where the first record of the name was found in the Domesday Book as Paullinus. 1

This Baptismal name literally means "son of Paul," from the diminutive Paul-in.

Two early records of the early name spelling were found: "Paulinus (fl. 500), the British ecclesiastic, is first mentioned in the "Life of St. David," by Rhygyfarch (d. 1099), as that saint's early teacher. He is described as a bishop, a 'scriba,' and a pupil of Germanus, living as an anchorite upon an island. He was cured of blindness by St. David," and "Paulinus (d 644), Archbishop or bishop of York." 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the name as a forename: Paulinus de Bointon and Paulin de Basset in Oxfordshire; and as a surname, Augustin filius Paulin in Huntingdonshire; and Roger Paulyn in Oxfordshire. 3

John Paulyn was found in Feet of Fines of Suffolk in 1291 and Johannes filius Paulini was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301. The parish of Nun Monkton in Yorkshire was "formerly the seat of the ancient family of Paylin." 4 The feminine version of the name is sometimes found, as in Paulina who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1169. 5

Early History of the Pollins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pollins research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1510, 1549, 1600, 1626, 1649 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Pollins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pollins Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Paullin, Paulin, Powlin, Porlin, Porllin, Pallin, payllin, Paylin, Pawlin, Pawllin, Pauldin, Pauline, Pauling, Pawling and many more.

Early Notables of the Pollins family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Paulden (1626-1710), English Royalist from Wakefield, Yorkshire. in 1649, He went abroad and joined Charles II in his exile. He paid several secret visits to...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pollins Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pollins 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. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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