Pouncey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Pouncey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Pouncey comes from the Latin-Norman personal name Pontius, "hence, doubtless, as a diminutive the name Puncheon, variant of Punshon." 1 Two other sources claim the name was Norman in origin: having derived from the Old Norman French name Ponche or the Old French name Ponce; 2 and/or from the Norman name Poyntz or Ponz, a branch of the Fitz-Ponce family. 3 However, two other very reputable sources are at a loss to the name's origin. "This surname is derived from a nickname. I cannot explain this name." 4 "Its etymology has not occurred to me." 5 Early Origins of the Pouncey familyThe surname Pouncey was first found in various counties throughout Britain. The first record of the family was found in the Pipe Rolls of 1181 where Godfrey, Phillip Punch(e) was listed. Seman Ponche was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Robert Punche in Oxfordshire; and Philip Punche in Suffolk. Later the Rolls of Parliament listed John Punche, yeoman of the crown (no date given.) 4 "The manor [of Linch in Sussex] is described in the Domesday Survey under the name of Lince, and at the time when that record was compiled, there were two ministers here, with a church. In the 16th century, the place was parcel of the estates of the dukes of Norfolk; it afterwards became the property of Viscount Montague, and eventually of the family of Poyntz." 6 In Somerset, "Leighland, in the parish of Old Cleeve, was the property of the Poyntz family. From them it descended to the Rowes, in the reign of William III." 7 Early History of the Pouncey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pouncey research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1507, 1510, 1521, 1522, 1527, 1528, 1533, 1556, 1559, 1569, 1570, 1571, 1585, 1603, 1607 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Pouncey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Pouncey Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Punch, Poyntz, Pons and others. Early Notables of the Pouncey familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Francis Poyntz (died 1528), English diplomatist, third son of Sir Robert Poyntz (d. 1521) of Iron Acton, Gloucestershire; and his son, Sir Anthony Poyntz (c.1480-1533), an English diplomat and naval commander, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1507, 1522 and 1527; and his son, Sir Nicholas Poyntz (1510-c.1556), a prominent English courtier during the latter part of Henry VIII's reign; and...
To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Pouncey or a variant listed above: Pouncey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Pouncey Settlers in Australia in the 19th CenturyPouncey Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
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: Pouncey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
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