Show ContentsPolland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Polland is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The name Polland came from the Norman-Christian given name Paulinus, which belonged to an early settler Anglo-Norman settler.

Early Origins of the Polland family

The surname Polland 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 Polland family

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

Polland Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Polland are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Polland include Paulin, Paulyn, Pollen, Pollyn, Pollin, Polyn and many more.

Early Notables of the Polland family

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

Migration of the Polland family to Ireland

Some of the Polland 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.


Polland migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Polland, or a variant listed above:

Polland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Polland, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 1
Polland Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Leonhard Polland, who landed in America in 1783 1
Polland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Polland, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1832 1
  • James Polland, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 1
  • Friedrich Christian Polland, who landed in America in 1854 1
  • Peter Polland, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1879 1

Polland 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:

Polland Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Edward Polland, aged 20, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
  • Ellen Polland, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
  • Edward Polland, aged 9 months, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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