Potal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Potal

The name Potal was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the personal name Phillip. A common medieval English form of the name Phillip is Philpot. Sometimes this got shortened to Pot, and a diminutive suffix could be added: in this case, el. So, someone named Phillip could become known as Potel. They would then pass this name down to their children. Therefore, the surname Potal means "son of Phillip." 1 2

Early Origins of the Potal family

Early History of the Potal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Potal research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1273, 1279 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Potal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Potal Spelling Variations

Potal 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 Potal have been found, including Pottle, Pottel, Pottell, Pottale, Potale, Potell, Potelle, Potel and many more.

Early Notables of the Potal family

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

Migration of the Potal family

In 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 Potals to arrive on North American shores: Christopher Pottle, who settled in Massachusetts in 1679; James Pottle, who sailed to America in 1756; Joseph Pottle, who arrived in Boston in 1762; and O. Pottle, who settled in San Francisco in 1851..