Pons History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

The name Pons reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on 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 Pons family

The surname Pons 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 Pons family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pons 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 Pons History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pons 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. Pons has been recorded under many different variations, including Punch, Poyntz, Pons and others.

Early Notables of the Pons family

Outstanding 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...
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pons Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pons Ranking

In the United States, the name Pons is the 12,158^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 8 However, in France, the name Pons is ranked the 139^th most popular surname with an estimated 21,877 people with that name. 9

Pons migration to the United States +

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. Ponss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Pons Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacques Pons, a Huguenot settler, who arrived in America in 1727
Jacques Pons, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1727 10
Augustus Pons, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1728 10
Abraham Pons, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 10
John Pons, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1768 10

Pons Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jose Pons, aged 45, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1810 10
M. Pons, who settled in Florida in 1822
D Pablo Pons, aged 30, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1823 10
Frands Pons, aged 20, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1825 10
Manuel Pons, aged 40, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1829 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Pons (post 1700) +

Beatrice Pons (1923-1991), American actress, best known for her recurring television roles on The Phil Silvers Show and Car 54, Where Are You?
Jim Pons (b. 1943), American bass guitarist and singer for several 1960s rock bands
Lilly Pons (1904-1976), American (French-born) opera singer, principal soprano with the Metropolitan Opera from 1931 to 1961
Ventura Pons (1945-2024), Spanish movie director
Francisco Vallejo Pons (b. 1982), Spanish chess Grandmaster
Bernard Pons (1926-2022), French politician and physician, Secretary General of Rally for the Republic and Minister for Transport
Pascal Pons (b. 1968), French percussionist
Jean François Pons (1688-1752), French Jesuit who pioneered the study of Sanskrit in the West
Félix Pons (1942-2010), Spanish politician
Mercè Pons (b. 1966), Spanish TV, dubbing, theatre and movie actress
... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)