Pottert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Pottert is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a maker of clay or metal storage vessels 1 which was in turn derived from the Latin word potus, meaning to drink. While this is the traditional understanding of the word, another reference states: "the term meant an apothecary or druggist." 2

Early Origins of the Pottert family

The surname Pottert was first found in various shires and counties throughout Britain. Search for the earliest record of the name revealed Seuard le potter who was listed in 1172 in Lincolnshire. A few years later, Geoffrey Poter was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1196 and John le Potier was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1197. Lambert le Pottur was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1214. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Michael le Potere and John le Pottere in London, and Ranulph le Potter in Essex. 3

Secuard le Potter who appears in the Transcripts of the Charters relating to the Gilbertine Houses of Lincolnshire in 1172 and Geoffrey Poter is recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of Leicestershire in 1196. John le Potier is listed in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1197 and Lambert le Pottur appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1214. Michael le Potere and John le Pottere are both recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of London in 1273. 1

The Pootter variant is fairly common in America as Robert Pootter is recorded in the Omitted Chapters of Hotten's, "Original List of Persons of Quality and Others Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations 1600-1700" and served with Colonel Bayley's Company of Regiment of Foot in 1679-80. Later shipping records include one Stephen Pooter who emigrated from England to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania in 1859.

Early History of the Pottert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pottert research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1557, 1577, 1591, 1592, 1594, 1614, 1642, 1646, 1656, 1661, 1664, 1674, 1678, 1747 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Pottert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pottert Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Pottert were recorded, including Potter, Pottar, Poter and others.

Early Notables of the Pottert family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Barnaby Potter (1577-1642), English provost of Queen's College, Oxford, and bishop of Carlisle, was born at Kendal, Westmorland. He was the son of Thomas Potter, a mercer and alderman of Highgate Kendal. Christopher Potter (1591-1646), was also provost of Queen's College, Oxford, born in Westmorland. He was the nephew of Barnaby Potter.Hannibal Potter (1592-1664), was an English clergyman and college head in Oxford during the First English Civil War; Francis Potter (1594-1678), was an English clergyman, Biblical commentator, and experimentalist, an early...
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pottert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pottert family to Ireland

Some of the Pottert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pottert family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Pottert arrived in North America very early: Henry Potter, who arrived in Virginia in 1619, one year before the "Mayflower"; Vincent Potter, who settled in New England in 1635; William Potter and his wife Francis, who came to Boston in 1635.

Citations +

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)