Ponton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Italy

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Ponton surname was taken on from any of the many place names in Italy called Ponte, or from places derived from the Italian word "ponte," which means "bridge." Local names are derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signifies emigration from one place to another, but does not necessarily denote nobility.

Early Origins of the Ponton family

The surname Ponton was first found in Emilia-Romagna. Although this name arose independently in various parts of Italy, the first recorded instances of the name found are of the Ponte di Venezi family, ennobled in 1297, who are said to be originally of Ferrara. There are more than fourteen municipalities and parishes found in Italy today.

Early History of the Ponton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ponton research. Another 204 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1385, 1418, 1438, 1440, 1442, 1462, 1495, 1512, 1534, 1535, 1560, 1595, 1622 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Ponton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ponton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ponte, Ponti, Da Ponte, Dal Ponte, Del Ponte, Pontello, Pontelli, Pontel, Ponticiello, Ponticelli, Pontillo, Pontini, Pontoni, Ponton, Pontiroli, Pontalti, Pontano, Pontormo and many more.

Early Notables of the Ponton family

Prominent among members of the family was Giovanni dal Ponte (1385-c.1438), Italian, Florentine painter; as well as Giovanni Pontano, a 15th century humanist, poet, and diplomat from Cerreto who served three Kings of Naples. Piero del Ponte (1462-1535) was the 45th Grand Master of the Order of Saint John between 1534 and 1535. He hailed from Asti, in northern Italy and was a descendant of the...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ponton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ponton Ranking

In the United States, the name Ponton is the 13,182^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Ponton is ranked the 6,033^rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2

Ponton migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ponton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Ponton, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 3

Ponton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

G Ponton, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 3
Jose Ponton, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1879 3

Ponton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ponton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Margaret Ponton who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 10 years, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 4th September 1847, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Thomas Ponton, aged 17, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Joseph Soames" 5

Ponton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ponton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Jane Ponton, (b. 1844), aged 26, English settler, from Wiltshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Ramsey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 17th June 1870 6
Mr. James Ponton, (b. 1845), aged 25, English coach painter, from Wiltshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Ramsey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 17th June 1870 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Ponton (post 1700) +

Rod Ponton, American lawyer, District Attorney, Brewster County
Kirk Ponton, American actor and producer, known for The Reunion (2011), The Velvet Elvis (2012) and Blue Collar Boys (2013)
Jen Ponton, American actress, known for her work on The Weirdos Next Door (2014), Free the Nipple (2014) and Jack & Diane (2012)
Dr. Lynn Elisabeth Ponton (b. 1951), American child and adolescent psychiatrist, Professor at the University of California, San Francisco
Mr. Michael Thomas John Ponton M.B.E., British former Community Independent Member for Hywel Dda University Health Board, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Healthcare 7
Yvan Ponton (b. 1945), Canadian actor from Quebec, known for his work on Slap Shot (1977), Les Boys (2007) and Scanners II: The New Order (1991)
Yvan Ponton (b. 1945), Canadian actor, commentator and television host from Quebec
Mungo Ponton FRS (1801-1880), Scottish inventor who created a method of permanent photography based on sodium dichromate in 1839, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh