Surname Poyner - Meaning and Origin
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Poyner: What does the surname Poyner mean?
The last name Poyner is of English origin and is a form of the name Pagan, which is a topographic name for someone who lived near some sort of pagan shrine, altar, or temple. It is also thought to be an occupational name for someone who gave sanctuary to pagans or was employed at a pagan temple. The name Poyner could have also been a nickname given to someone who was particularly pious or devoted to religion.
Poyner is believed to originate from the Olde English pre 7th Century word paga, which translates to “pagan” or “pagan priest". The Poyner surname is found throughout England, and its variant spellings include Pyner and Piner. Records of the name date back to 1242 in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire, England.
The surname Poyner has many spelling variations including: Poyner, Pyner, Paynter, Painter, and Pain. Other variants of the name are descended from the Old English word “pagan”, referring to a non-Christian religion. This could mean that the Poyner surname could be adapted from a variety of ancient forms.
The Poyner surname is still found throughout the U.K., and in some parts of the U.S. today, making it one of the most widespread surnames of English origin. Families bearing the name can trace their ancestry to the Middle Ages.
Today, Poyner is commonly associated with more religious backgrounds, but its history and origin have a much broader and fascinating history. As one of England's oldest surnames, it stands as a reminder of a time when pagans worshipped freely.
Order DNA origin analysisPoyner: Where does the name Poyner come from?
The last name Poyner is most common in the United States and United Kingdom. It is estimated that over 17,000 people living in the United States have the last name Poyner. In Great Britain, the last name is more commonly seen. It is estimated that over 37,000 people living in the United Kingdom have the last name Poyner.
Most Poyner families living in America today trace their lineage back to the early English settlers who arrived in the 1600's. Many of these families were farmers, fur trappers, and traders who made their way from England to the New World.
In the United States, the highest concentrations of Poyner families are found in Virginia, West Virginia, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. Poyner families are also on the rise in California, Nevada, and New York.
In the United Kingdom, the last name Poyner is most common in the county of Cornwall, in the south-west of England. There are also other concentrations in the counties of Somerset, Devon, Kent, Oxfordshire, and East Anglia.
It is believed that the name Poyner is derived from a combination of the English personal names 'Edward' and 'Harry' which were popular during the Middle Ages. The names were then combined into one surname 'Poyner'. As such, the last name Poyner is of English origin and is estimated to be around 600-700 years old.
Variations of the surname Poyner
Poyner is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words poenere and poenerera, both of which mean 'tradesman'. Variants and spellings of this surname include Poner, Ponar, Poiner, Pointor, Pyner, Ponner, and Poynter. These variations often evolved over time due to occurrences such as changes in dialect and spelling mistakes in official documents.
Due to recorded variations in spelling, Poyner can also be a part of surnames with surnames of similar origin, including Boner, Booner, Bouner, Bowner, Bowyer, Bonner, Bayner, and Boenner. Trace variations of the surname may also have originated from name forms such as Paynner, Payne, Poiner, Poinier, Poinard, Boyer, Poigner, and Poignard.
The Poyner name has appeared in many documents and can be found in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and many other countries. It is a relatively common surname in parts of the British Isles and is still widely used today.
Famous people with the name Poyner
- Emmett Poyner: former American football player who played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1945.
- Tracy Poyner: American animator and film director, known for his works on television series such as SpongeBob Squarepants and The Simpsons.
- Zach Poyner: American actor, best known for his roles in the films Little Monsters and Men in Black 2.
- Lanita Poyner: American poet and visual artist from Hartford, Connecticut.
- Robert Poyner: British mountaineer and explorer, known for making the first successful ascent of Everest in 1953.
- John Poyner: English footballer who played in the Football League in the late nineteenth century.
- Nicholas Poyner: Australian geographer, specializing in research on tropical and polar climates.
- Sean Poyner: English football manager and former professional footballer, who has managed clubs such as Southend United and Bradford City.
- Keith Poyner: American wildlife conservationist and author, known for his works on species like elk, deer, and turkey.
- Thomas Poyner: former Irish politician and barrister, who served as Minister for Home Affairs from 1957 to 1965.