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The ancestors of the Ponsonbey family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Cumberland, at Ponsonby, from whence the family derived their name.
The surname Ponsonbey was first found in Cumberland at Ponsonby, a parish, in the union of Whitehaven, Allerdale ward above Derwent. 1 "Before the adoption of the surname, they are said to have been of Hale, in the same county. Still earlier, according to a family tradition, they were of the noble rank in Picardy, the founder of the house in England having come over with the Conqueror, who appointed him his Barber! The three combs in the arms of Ponsonby are alleged in support of this story, and if further evidence can possibly be desired, the chevron that separates them may adumbrate the open razor, wherewithal the dread face of the mighty Conqueror was denuded of its manly appendage!" 2
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ponsonbey research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1340, 1546, 1604, 1660, 1679, 1713, 1739, 1758 and 1789 are included under the topic Early Ponsonbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ponsonbey were recorded, including Ponsonby, Pounceby, Pownceby and others.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ponsonbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Ponsonbey arrived in North America very early: Thomas Ponsonby arrived in Philadelphia in 1850.