| ![Show Contents]() Powels History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PowelsWhat does the name Powels mean? The Welsh surname Powels comes from the personal name Hoel or Howell, which were both derived from the Old Welsh name Houel. The surname Powels features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ap-". The original form of the name was ap-Hoel or ap-Howell, but the prefixes have been assimilated into the surname over the course of time. Early Origins of the Powels familyThe surname Powels was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where the name "are descended from Philip ap Howell, whose pedigree is traced to Edwin ap Grono, Lord of Tegaingl, founder of the XIII noble tribe of North Wales and Powys." 1 However other records claim the name came from the Welsh King Hywel Dda"the Good" ap Cadell (c.880- c.950), son of Cadell ap Rhodri, in turn a son of Rhodri the Great. Early History of the Powels familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Powels research. Another 201 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1608, 1624, 1628, 1630, 1632, 1637, 1641, 1653, 1660, 1673, 1678, 1680, 1688, 1689, 1692, 1696, 1721, 1750, 1795, 1798, 1803 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Powels History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Powels Spelling VariationsAlthough there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Powels have included Powell, Powel and others. Early Notables of the Powels familyThomas Powell (c.1608-1660), a Welsh cleric and writer from Cantref, Breconshire; Sir William Powell, 1st Baronet (c. 1624-1680), born William Hinson, an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1660; William Powell (d. 1637), was an esquire of Castle Madoc; Henry Powle (1630-1692), an English lawyer and politician, Speaker of the House of Commons in 1689; Sir Richard Powle (1628-1678), an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1678; Sir John Powell (c. 1632-1696), a Welsh judge of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Court...
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Powels Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Powels family to IrelandSome of the Powels family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Powels familyMany Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Powels: Edward Powell, who came to Virginia in 1587; John Powell arrived in Virginia in 1607; Thomas, who came to Virginia in 1618; Gody Powell on record in Virginia in 1623.
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: Edrych i fynw
Motto Translation: Looking Up.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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