Show ContentsPowell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Powell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Powell

What does the name Powell mean?

The Welsh surname Powell comes from the personal name Hoel or Howell, which were both derived from the Old Welsh name Houel. The surname Powell 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 Powell family

The surname Powell 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 Powell family

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

Powell Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Powell has seen various spelling variations: Powell, Powel and others.

Early Notables of the Powell family

  • Thomas 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
  • Sir John Powell (c. 1632-1696), a Welsh judge of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Court of King's Bench

Powell World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Powell is the 81st most popular surname with an estimated 55,751 people with that name. 2 However, in Australia, the name Powell is ranked the 137th most popular surname with an estimated 20,284 people with that name. 3 And in New Zealand, the name Powell is the 185th popular surname with an estimated 2,970 people with that name. 4 Canada ranks Powell as 354th with 12,854 people. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Powell as 139th with 272 people. 6 The United States ranks Powell as 85th with 231,291 people. 7

Migration of the Powell family to Ireland

Some of the Powell 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.

Powell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet
  • Miss Elizabeth Powell, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Herefordshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
  • Mr. Richard Powell, British settler convicted in Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
  • Mr. Thomas Powell, British settler convicted in Herefordshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for assault, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Third Fleet
  • Miss Ann Powell, (b. 1751), aged 36, English settler convicted in London on 13th December 1786, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9
Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Powell Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Hannah Powell, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Miss Mary Powell, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Powell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Powell 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:

Powell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Powell, aged 32, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • Benjamin Powell, aged 38, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Elizabeth Powell, aged 38, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Griffith Powell, aged 13, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Catherine Powell, aged 8, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 14
Powell Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Miss Mary Powell, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 15
  • Mr. Richard Powell, (b. 1603), aged 32, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 16
  • Mr. Will Powell, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 16
  • Mr. Thomas Powell, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 17
  • Mr. Thomas Powell, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell migration to Canada +

Powell Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Nicholas Powell, settled in Carbonear in 1641
Powell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Powell U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 205 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 18
  • Mr. Lewis Powell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 18
  • Mr. Abrahm Powell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 18
  • Mr. Caleb Powell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 18
  • Capt. John Powell U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1785 he served in the Indian Department, married with 3 children 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Powell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Robin Powell, in Tickle Cove, Newfoundland in 1825 19
  • Ephraim Powell, who landed in Canada in 1841
  • Mr. John Powell, aged 28 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing from the port of Virginius, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 20
  • Mrs. Mary Powell, aged 32 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Avon" departing from the port of Avon, Cork but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 20
  • Mrs. Bridget Powell, aged 27 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing 28th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 12th August 1847 but she died on board 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell migration to the United States +



Powell Settlers in United States in the 16th Century
  • Edward Powell, who settled in Virginia in 1587
Powell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Capt. Nathaniell Powell, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607
  • John Powell, aged 29, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1607 aboard the ship "Swallow" 22
  • Mr. Thomas Powell, cook, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610.
  • Thomas Powell, who settled in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Sampson"
  • Mr. Thomas Powell, who arrived in Virgnia in 1619 aboard the ship "Seaflower" 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Powell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edward Powell, who landed in Virginia in 1701 22
  • Francis Powell, who landed in Virginia in 1701 22
  • Jean Powell, who landed in Virginia in 1714 22
  • Anthony Powell, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 22
Powell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David N Powell, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1812 22
  • Evan Powell, aged 21, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 22
  • Isaac Powell, who arrived in New York in 1824 22
  • Miss Elizabeth Powell, aged 11, British settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
  • Mr. Henry Powell, aged 55, British labourer who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Powell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Powell, (b. 1874), aged 26, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York, USA on 29th January 1900 en route to Michigan, USA 24
  • Miss Emma Powell, (b. 1845), aged 58, Cornish housekeepter from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York, USA on 2nd August 1903 en route to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 24
  • Mr. Joseph J Powell, (b. 1879), aged 26, Cornish blacksmith from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York, USA in 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 24

Contemporary Notables of the name Powell (post 1700) +

  • William Rhys Powell (1948-2022), Welsh Conservative politician and barrister from Crickhowell, Wales, Member of Parliament for Corby from 1983 to 1997
  • Hosken Powell (1955-2025), American professional baseball player, played for the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (1978-1983), outfielder, he threw and batted left-handed
  • Juliette Powell (1970-2025), American-Canadian media expert, tech ethicist, business advisor, author and beauty pageant titleholder, crowned Miss Canada 1989, the contest's first Black Canadian winner
  • Dwight Gregory Powell OC AOE FRCPC (1947-2025), Canadian emergency medicine physician specialist and a professor of family medicine and emergency medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Calgary, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS), a helicopter-based emergency transport service in Alberta and British Columbia
  • Alice Mendham Powell (1903-1984), Americana educator, college professor, and school founder
  • Alma Vivian Powell (1937-2024), née Johnson, an American audiologist and the wife of military and political figure Colin Powell
  • Tristram Roger Dymoke Powell (1940-2024), English television and film director, producer and screenwriter born in Oxford
  • Milton Powell (1977-2023), better known by his stage name Big Pokey, an American rapper from Houston, Texas
  • Cincinnatus "Cincy" Powell (1942-2023), American NBA and ABA professional basketball player from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • ... (Another 37 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Barry C Powell (1960-1985), American First Lieutenant from Madisonville, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 25
  • Mr. Leonard Amos Goerge Powell (d. 1914), British Assistant Boots from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
  • Miss Hilda May  Powell (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 27
  • Mr. Richard E.  Powell (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 28
  • Mr. Lyal Llewellyn Powell (1918-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Newtown, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 28
  • ... (Another 13 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Powell Motto +

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.

Suggested Readings for the name Powell +

  • James Ball and Calvin Powell Connections by Grace Powell Harms.
  • Jerry Basham and Ellen Higgs by Omegene Powers Powell.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  15. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  16. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  17. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  18. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  19. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  20. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
  21. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 92)
  22. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  25. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  26. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  27. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  28. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp

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