Show ContentsPuncheon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Puncheon was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Puncheon family lived in Devon. Their name, however, is a reference to Pontchardon, near Neauffla, in Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. [1]

Early Origins of the Puncheon family

The surname Puncheon was first found in Devon. "Heanton Punchardon preserves the name of a distinguished family, of whom the most prominent member, Sir Richard, served with great note in France under Edward III." [2]

"Robert de Pontchardon is on the Dives Roll. Robert de Pontcardon held lands in Devon 1083 (Exon. Domesday). William de Punchardon in 1165 held six fees in Somerset and Devon : Roger de Punchardon in Lincoln, and Matthew in Northumberland or York [3]. William de Punchardon of Heanton-Punchardon, Devon, was living 1242 (Pole), and in 1261 Oliver de Punchardoun had a writ of military summons for the war in Wales. " [4]

Early History of the Puncheon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Puncheon research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1590, 1630 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Puncheon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Puncheon 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 Punchon, Puncheon, Punchard, Punshardon, Punshow and many more.

Early Notables of the Puncheon family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Puncheon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Puncheon 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 Puncheon or a variant listed above:

Puncheon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Lawrence Puncheon, who arrived in Maryland in 1773

Contemporary Notables of the name Puncheon (post 1700) +

  • Jason David Ian Puncheon (b. 1986), English professional footballer


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  3. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
  4. 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)


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