Poitier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

The Poitier surname comes from the Old French word "pot", meaning a "drinking vessel"; as such, it is thought to have been an occupational name for a maker of drinking or storage vessels.

Early Origins of the Poitier family

The surname Poitier was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they held a family seat at Courcy, an ancient castle and dukedom that played such an important role in the defense of northern and eastern France. The house of Potier would eventually be elevated to the Dukes of Gevres, and the Dukes of Tresmes, and Gevres, who held a family seat in Brittany.

Early History of the Poitier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poitier research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1648, 1693, 1699 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Poitier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poitier Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Potier, Pottier, Potiere, Pothier, Pothiere, Poitiers, Poitier, De Potier and many more.

Early Notables of the Poitier family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Poitier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poitier migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Poitier Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mrs. Anne Poitier, (nee Savary), (b. 1747), aged 38, French widow traveling aboard the ship "La Bergere" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 15th August 1785 1
Mr. Olivier Poitier, (b. 1775), aged 10, French settler traveling aboard the ship "La Bergere" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 15th August 1785 1
Mr. Jacques Silvin Poitier, (b. 1778), aged 7, French settler traveling aboard the ship "La Bergere" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 15th August 1785 1

Poitier migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Poitier Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Jean Baptiste Poitier, who arrived in Quebec in 1670 from Picardy
Philippe Poitier, who arrived in Quebec in 1679 from Saintonge via Bordeaux

Contemporary Notables of the name Poitier (post 1700) +

Sir Sidney Poitier (1927-2022), Bahamian-American Academy Award winning actor, film director, author, diplomat and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; he received two further Academy Award nominations, ten Golden Globes nominations, two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations, six BAFTA nominations, eight Laurel nominations, and one Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination.
Sydney Tamiia Poitier (b. 1973), American actress, known for Death Proof (2007), Grindhouse (2007) and True Crime (1999), daughter of Sidney Poitier
Earl Poitier (b. 1974), American actor, known for Remember the Titans (2000), Drumline (2002) and Burn Notice (2007).
Damion Poitier, American actor, known for his work on Captain America: Civil War (2016), Payday 2 (2013) and Jarhead (2005)
Melanie Susan Poitier (1947-1981), better known as Suki Potier, an English model

Citations +

7 Ships Acadian Expedition of 1785. Retrieved 28th September 2021 from http://www.acadian-cajun.com/7ships.htm