Show ContentsPishon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Pishon came to England with the ancestors of the Pishon family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Pishon family lived in Devon. Their name, however, is a reference to Pontchardon, near Neauffla, in Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Pishon family

The surname Pishon was first found in Devon. "Heanton Punchardon preserves the name of a distinguished family, of whom the most prominent member, Sir Richard, served with great note in France under Edward III." 2

"Robert de Pontchardon is on the Dives Roll. Robert de Pontcardon held lands in Devon 1083 (Exon. Domesday). William de Punchardon in 1165 held six fees in Somerset and Devon : Roger de Punchardon in Lincoln, and Matthew in Northumberland or York 3. William de Punchardon of Heanton-Punchardon, Devon, was living 1242 (Pole), and in 1261 Oliver de Punchardoun had a writ of military summons for the war in Wales. " 4

Early History of the Pishon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pishon research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1590, 1630 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Pishon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pishon Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Pishon has been recorded under many different variations, including Punchon, Puncheon, Punchard, Punshardon, Punshow and many more.

Early Notables of the Pishon family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pishon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pishon family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Pishons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: William Pynchon, who came to in Massachusetts in 1630 with his wife Anne and their four children; Thomas Pinchen, who settled in Barbados in 1663; Michael Pinchard settled in Louisiana in 1719.


Contemporary Notables of the name Pishon (post 1700) +

  • N. J. Pishon, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 1st District, 1873-75 5


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  3. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
  4. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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