Pynchon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Pynchon was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Pynchon family lived in Devon. Their name, however, is a reference to Pontchardon, near Neauffla, in Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Pynchon family

The surname Pynchon was first found in Devon. "Heanton Punchardon preserves the name of a distinguished family, of whom the most prominent member, Sir Richard, served with great note in France under Edward III." 2

"Robert de Pontchardon is on the Dives Roll. Robert de Pontcardon held lands in Devon 1083 (Exon. Domesday). William de Punchardon in 1165 held six fees in Somerset and Devon : Roger de Punchardon in Lincoln, and Matthew in Northumberland or York 3. William de Punchardon of Heanton-Punchardon, Devon, was living 1242 (Pole), and in 1261 Oliver de Punchardoun had a writ of military summons for the war in Wales. " 4

Early History of the Pynchon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pynchon research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1590, 1630 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Pynchon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pynchon Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Pynchon has been recorded under many different variations, including Punchon, Puncheon, Punchard, Punshardon, Punshow and many more.

Early Notables of the Pynchon family

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

Pynchon migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Pynchons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Pynchon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mrs. Agnes Pynchon who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Dorchester. 5
Mr. John Pynchon who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Dorchester. 5
Miss Anne Pynchon who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Dorchester. 5
Miss Mary Pynchon who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Dorchester. 5
Miss Margaret Pynchon who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Dorchester. 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Pynchon (post 1700) +

Victoria Pynchon (b. 1952), American lawyer, attorney mediator, author and writer
Thomas Pynchon (b. 1937), American writer
William L. Pynchon, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Independence, Missouri, 1861-65 6
William Pynchon (1590-1662), British colonial assistant, treasurer and original patentee of the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html