Show ContentsPoling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Poling family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Poling is based on the Norman-Christian given name Paulinus, which belonged to an early settler Anglo-Norman settler.

Early Origins of the Poling family

The surname Poling was first found in Staffordshire from very ancient times, and Lincolnshire where they were Lords of the Manor of Odcombe. The origin of the name has long since faded into the mists of time but most scholars give the name as a Norman Christian name belonging to a settler, Paulinus, who landed in England soon after the Norman Conquest.

Early History of the Poling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poling research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1636 is included under the topic Early Poling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poling Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Poling include Paulin, Paulyn, Pollen, Pollyn, Pollin, Polyn and many more.

Early Notables of the Poling family

More information is included under the topic Early Poling Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poling Ranking

In the United States, the name Poling is the 4,568th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Poling family to Ireland

Some of the Poling family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Poling migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Polings to arrive on North American shores:

Poling Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Giuseppe Poling, aged 21, originally from Bialmonte, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Principe De Piemonte" from Palermo, Italy 2
  • Rosa Poling, aged 18, originally from Dleod, Hungary, who arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Amerika" from Cuxhaven, Germany 2
  • Kati Poling, aged 27, originally from Obad, Hungary, who arrived in New York in 1915 aboard the ship "Nieuw Amsterdam" from Rotterdam, Netherlands 2
  • Josef Poling, aged 6, originally from Obad, Hungary, who arrived in New York in 1915 aboard the ship "Nieuw Amsterdam" from Rotterdam, Netherlands 2
  • Rosi Poling, aged 4, originally from Obad, Hungary, who arrived in New York in 1915 aboard the ship "Nieuw Amsterdam" from Rotterdam, Netherlands 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Poling (post 1700) +

  • Harold Arthur "Red" Poling (1926-2012), American businessman, CEO and Chairman of Ford Motor Company (1990 to 1993)
  • Eleanor Mondale Poling (1960-2011), American television and radio personality
  • Kermit Poling (b. 1960), American conductor, violinist and composer
  • Chandler Hall Poling (b. 1957), American Emmy Award winning musician and composer
  • Al Poling, American professional wrestler
  • Daniel A. Poling, American Republican politician, Candidate for Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951 3
  • Daniel A. Poling, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Governor of Ohio, 1912 3
  • Corel Poling, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Calhoun County, 1942 3
  • Clyde Poling (b. 1891), American Republican politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Barbour County, 1917-18 3
  • Carlton Poling, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988 3
  • ... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Royal Oak
  • George R. Poling, British Leading Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 4


Suggested Readings for the name Poling +

  • History and Genealogy of the Poling Family by Clerissa H. Tatterson.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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