Pinshon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Pinshon is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Pinshon family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Pinshon 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 Pinshon family

The surname Pinshon 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 Pinshon family

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

Pinshon Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Punchon, Puncheon, Punchard, Punshardon, Punshow and many more.

Early Notables of the Pinshon family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pinshon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pinshon family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Pinshon or a variant listed above: William Pynchon, who came to in Massachusetts in 1630 with his wife Anne and their four children; Thomas Pinchen, who settled in Barbados in 1663; Michael Pinchard settled in Louisiana in 1719.

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)