Pouncey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Pouncey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Pouncey comes from 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 Pouncey family

The surname Pouncey 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 Pouncey family

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

Pouncey Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Punch, Poyntz, Pons and others.

Early Notables of the Pouncey 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 Pouncey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pouncey migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Pouncey or a variant listed above:

Pouncey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Pouncey, aged 8, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Celtic" in 1875 8
Mary Pouncey, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Celtic" in 1875 8
Sarah Pouncey, aged 6, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Celtic" in 1875 8
Nic Pouncey, aged 11, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Celtic" in 1875 8
Lucy Pouncey, aged 35, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Celtic" in 1875 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pouncey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pouncey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Lavinia Pouncey, aged 23, who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Oceanica" in 1865 9

Pouncey Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Miss Pouncey, who arrived in Brisbane, Australia in 1949 aboard the ship "Mooltan" 10
Mrs. H. Pouncey, who arrived in Brisbane, Australia in 1949 aboard the ship "Mooltan" 10
Mr. H. Pouncey, who arrived in Brisbane, Australia in 1949 aboard the ship "Mooltan" 10
Harold Pouncey, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1958 aboard the ship "Fairsky" 10
Joyce Pouncey, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1958 aboard the ship "Fairsky" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pouncey 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:

Pouncey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Susan Pouncey, British domestic servant travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Brothers Pride" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 8th December 1863 11

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
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Public Record Office Victoria retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://prov.vic.gov.au
National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html