Poitiers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Etymology of Poitiers

What does the name Poitiers mean?

The Poitiers surname comes from the Old French word "pot", meaning a "drinking vessel"; as such, it is thought to have been an occupational name for a maker of drinking or storage vessels.

Early Origins of the Poitiers family

The surname Poitiers was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they held a family seat at Courcy, an ancient castle and dukedom that played such an important role in the defense of northern and eastern France. The house of Potier would eventually be elevated to the Dukes of Gevres, and the Dukes of Tresmes, and Gevres, who held a family seat in Brittany.

Early History of the Poitiers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poitiers research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1648, 1693, 1699 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Poitiers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poitiers Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Potier, Pottier, Potiere, Pothier, Pothiere, Poitiers, Poitier, De Potier and many more.

Early Notables of the Poitiers family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Poitiers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Poitiers family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Mrs. Poiter who settled with two children in Mississippi in 1820; another Mrs. Poiter settled with two children in New Orleans La. in 1821; Thomas Potier settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1794.

Contemporary Notables of the name Poitiers (post 1700) +

Diane de Poitiers (1499-1566), French noblewoman and a courtier
Lieutenant General Sir Francis Poitiers Nosworthy KCB DSO MC (1887-1971), British Army officer, Commander-in-Chief of West Africa Command during World War II