| ![Show Contents]() Poots History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PootsWhat does the name Poots mean? The name Poots was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from Phillip. A common medieval English form of the name Phillip is Philpot. This form was often shortened to the diminutive form Pot or Pott. It is from this form of Phillip that the surname Poots is derived. The personal name Phillip was popular thanks to the influence of St. Phillip, one of the twelve apostles of Christ. 1 There is, however, another possible etymology, that better explains some instances of the name. Pott was an Old English word which meant hole or pit. It was sometimes used topographically to indicate residence near such a geographical feature. This makes this surname polygenetic; that is, derived from more than one source and having more than one initial bearer. Early Origins of the Poots familyThe surname Poots was first found in Hampshire where Godwin Pot was registered at Winton in 1115. Years later, Richard Pott was listed in the Liber Wintoniensis of Cambridgeshire c. 1150 and later again, Petronilla Potes was registered in the Court Rolls of Colchester in 1311, as was Roger Potte in 1352. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the family was scattered throughout ancient Britain: Colin Pot in Lincolnshire; Richard Pot in Essex; Reginald Pot in Huntingdonshire; and William Pote in Norfolk. 1 Richard de la Potte, Attepotte was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Sussex in 1221 and later in 1228; Gilbert atte Potte was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Surrey in 1332; and Margaret atte Potte was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 2 Another source claims "Potts was the name of an old Northumbrian clan." 3 And still father to the north in Scotland, "Richard Pott in Eskdaill was charged with the theft of four cows in 1513, and Thomas Pot in Reddene and Rafe (Ralph) Pott in Kelso are in record in 1567." 4 The Poot and Poots variants are "now numerous in Ulster most of which, though not sufficiently well established to be classed as 'principal names' in the co-called census of 1659, were already to be found in that province at that time." This noted author goes on to cite the name as being ultimately of English origin. 5 Early History of the Poots familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poots research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1605, 1612, 1618, 1640, 1641, 1644, 1648, 1660, 1673, 1675, 1686 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Poots History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Poots Spelling VariationsPoots has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Poots have been found, including Potts, Pott, Pot, Poot and others. Early Notables of the Poots familySir Thomas Putt, 1st Baronet (1644-1686) of Combe in the County of Devon, Member of Parliament for Honiton; and his son Sir Thomas Putt, 2nd Baronet (c. 1675-1721); Sir William Pott of Norfolk; Sir John Potts, 1st Baronet (c. 1592-1673), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1648 and in 1660; and Dr. John Potts (or Pott), originally from Cheshire, was a physician and Colonial Governor of Virginia...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Poots Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Poots familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Pootss to arrive on North American shores: John Pott settled in Virginia in 1620; William Pott settled in Barbados in 1635; Anthony Potts settled in Virginia in 1635; Thomas Pott, his wife and children, settled in New Jersey in 1677.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Poots (post 1700) | + |
- Tysson Poots (b. 1988), American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent
- Alexander Moinet "Alex" Poots CBE (b. 1967), Scottish-born, American artistic director in New York City
- Imogen Gay Poots (b. 1989), English actress and model, best known for her role as Tammy in the post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Weeks Later (2007)
- Edwin Poots (b. 1965), Northern Irish politician who has been leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) since May 2021
- Charles Boucher "Charlie" Poots (b. 1929), Irish politician from Northern Ireland
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Fortis et astutus
Motto Translation: Bold and Crafty.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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