Show ContentsPoynts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The founding heritage of the Poynts family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Poynts comes from when one of the family worked as a maker of points, which are cords for fastening together doublet and hose; a maker of garter belts. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word poynte, which meant "a tagged lace or cord made of twisted yarn, silk, or leather." 1 It is also possible that the name is derived from the construction term pointing, which is the practice of fastening and sealing roofing tiles with mortar. This practice gained currency in the 13th century and was called pointing.

Early Origins of the Poynts family

The surname Poynts was first found in Berkshire, where Benedict le Puinter was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1206. "Some of the Poynters, however are of French origin, being descendants of Ambrose Pointier, of Arras, who settled [in England] at the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The armorials of this family are pointedly allusive; the shield contains pointed piles. " 1

Early History of the Poynts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poynts research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1273, 1314, 1514, 1556, 1590, 1593, 1626, 1629, 1633, 1663, 1665, 1668, 1710, 1754 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Poynts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poynts Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Poynts has been spelled many different ways, including Pointer, Poynter, Pointier, Ponet and others.

Early Notables of the Poynts family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Robert Pointz (c 1590-1665), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1626 and 1629; and Sir John Pointz (died 1633), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1593. John Pointer (1668-1754), was an English antiquary...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Poynts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Poynts family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Poyntss to arrive in North America: Robert Pointer, also recorded as Robert Poynter, who came to Virginia in 1654; William Poynter, who arrived in Virginia in 1655; Edward Poynter, who came to Virginia in 1666.



The Poynts Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pense a pointer
Motto Translation: Think a point


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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