Show ContentsPottel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pottel name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Pottel is derived from the personal name Phillip. A common medieval English form of the name Phillip is Philpot. Sometimes this got shortened to Pot, and a diminutive suffix could be added: in this case, el. So, someone named Phillip could become known as Potel. They would then pass this name down to their children. Therefore, the surname Pottel means "son of Phillip." [1] [2]

Early Origins of the Pottel family

The surname Pottel was first found in Somerset, where Richard Potel was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1243 and later in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 for Buckinghamshire. [3] [2]

Early History of the Pottel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pottel research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1273, 1279 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Pottel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pottel Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Pottel were recorded, including Pottle, Pottel, Pottell, Pottale, Potale, Potell, Potelle, Potel and many more.

Early Notables of the Pottel family

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

Migration of the Pottel family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Pottel family emigrate to North America: Christopher Pottle, who settled in Massachusetts in 1679; James Pottle, who sailed to America in 1756; Joseph Pottle, who arrived in Boston in 1762; and O. Pottle, who settled in San Francisco in 1851..


Contemporary Notables of the name Pottel (post 1700) +

  • Rainer Pottel (b. 1953), German retired decathlete, who represented East Germany in the 1970s and 1980s, three-time national champion (1974, 1977 and 1981) for East Germany


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. 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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