Surname Powers - Meaning and Origin

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G. Powers

Powers: What does the surname Powers mean?

The surname Powers is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Fuaghra," later anglicized to "O'Power." It is mostly found in the southeastern region of Ireland, particularly in County Waterford. The name translates to "descendant of Fugre," with Fugre being an ancient personal name. The derivation of Fugre is thought to be from the word "fúar," meaning "cold" or "frigid." This could possibly refer to someone who lived in a cold or high altitude area or someone with a cold personality or temperament. The name might have originally referred to a hard, stern, or powerful person. Due to the widespread use of surnames in Ireland, the name Powers became one of the prominent surnames. Today, it's found all around the world, carried by people of Irish descent. With Irish emigration, especially during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, the name spread to other parts of the globe, notably the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Powers: Where does the name Powers come from?

The last name Powers is quite common in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. According to Ancestry.com, the surname is especially prominent in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, and Pennsylvania. Powers is also commonly found in other English-speaking countries, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, the population of Powers is primarily of Irish heritage. Many of the first Powers migrated over during the 18th and 19th centuries and settled in the American colonies. Records of the surname in the United States can be found as far back as the mid 1700’s.

The surname Powers is also common in the Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America, mainly as a result of intermarriage between Spanish and Irish immigrants. It is also common in Renaissance Italy, as the name was commonly used by Italian popes during the 16th century.

In the United States, Powers also tends to be quite popular among African Americans due to the presence of the last name in Africa before the transatlantic slave trade began in the 16th century.

The last name Powers is likely derived from the Irish O'Powell, which was a common surname in the 13th century. Alternatively, it may be derived from an Old French term referring to the power or authority an individual held.

Overall, the last name Powers is quite common in many parts of the world. Its origin is mainly Irish and its distribution is mainly concentrated in the United States, though it can also be found in Central and South America, Europe and Africa.

Variations of the surname Powers

The surname Powers is of Irish origin and has many variants, spellings, and even other surnames of the same origin. Many of these are derived from Irish Gaelic and Latin versions of the name, which often results in many related spellings of the same origin.

The most common variant of "Powers" is "Power," which is an Irish-Gaelic version of the name. It can also be spelled "de Paor" or "Pawer," and both of these variants come from the same origin. This same origin is also seen throughout other surnames, such as Paor, Paora, Pawers, Paour, and even Poer.

In Latin, the name is derived from the term "potestas," meaning "power." This leads to the Latin variants of "Potestas" and "Poten," both of which are related to the surname Powers. Other surnames derived from this Latin origin include Potent, Potentom, and Potini.

Powers is also seen in the surname MacPheorais, which comes from MacPhiōrais, an Anglicized form of an Irish surname meaning "son of Power." Other variants of this surname are found in names such as Pheors, Pheoras, and Peora.

In summary, the surname Powers has many different spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations come from Gaelic and Latin versions, and each of them has its own unique spelling or variation.

Famous people with the name Powers

• Mike Powers (actor, comedian, and writer)
• Austin Powers (character from music, film, and stage)
• Eliza Powers (American actor and stunt performer)
• Markie Post (actress known for her roles in The Fall Guy and Night Court)
• Joseph H. Powers (American politician)
• Lawrence Hill Powers (civil war veteran)
• Stephen Powers (American professional poker player)
• Kevin Powers (American novelist and Iraq War veteran)
• Patrick Powers (Irish Gaelic athlete and footballer)
• Richard Powers (American novelist)

Other surnames

Power