Surname Punches - Meaning and Origin

Punches: What does the surname Punches mean?

The term Punches, in the instance of a surname, does not carry a specific meaning. Instead, it is derived from the historical surname "Punch," which can be linked back to England and Ireland. The name Punch is considered as a nickname for a person seen as pugnacious or argumentative, from the Middle English word "punche," meaning "to fight". The "es" in Punches was likely added as a patronymic suffix to represent "son of Punch". It also could have been added simply due to linguistic or regional differences in various areas. While various theories might exist about the name's origin, it's important to remember that surnames have evolved greatly over centuries and could have been influenced by various factors like profession, location, characteristic, or even an ancestral chant or slogan. Therefore, the exact meaning and origin can be difficult to accurately trace. The surname Punches is quite rare and unique, making it distinct.

Punches: Where does the name Punches come from?

The last name Punches has origins in the United Kingdom, with records of the name existing as far back as the 1600s. The name is more commonly found in the West Midlands region of England, having been established there by a notable Punches family who were recorded as landowners and merchants in the area. This origin may have been influenced by the similar sounding French surname, Ponchet.

Today, the Punches family name is still largely localized in the West Midlands, particularly in the areas of Wolverhampton, Dudley, and Walsall. Outside of England, other Punches families are regularly found in the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. In the United States, the highest concentration of Punches' are in the coastal states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and South Carolina where the name is quite widespread.

The Punches name is most often associated with public service and philanthropy. One notable example is William Lilley Punches, an English-born Canadian who served in both the Canadian and American military services in the late 19th century. The Punches family name is also often linked to charity work; many Punches are known to participate in and donate to various humanitarian and health-related organizations.

The Punches family continues to have a strong presence and reputation in the places which they reside. With its long history and noble legacy, this family name can proudly and confidently be seen in many places across the world.

Variations of the surname Punches

The surname Punches is an English derivative of the French surname Punchon, which is derived from the Latin root, punchonem, meaning “little punch”. Punches is a common surname in England, and multiple variants, spellings, and surnames have descended from the Punchon roots. Common variants and spellings of Punches include Puncheon, Puncheston, Punshon, Punshons, Punchon, Punchons, Pouches, Poucheston, and Pownchon. These variant spellings often indicate that the Punches surname orginated from a specific county or region in England.

Common surnames that have been derived from the Punches surname include Pointon, Ponnocks, Ponkins, Ponces, Punshon, Punch, Pones, and Pons. These surnames often indicate that the person who used the Punches surname was of French origin.

Other English surnames that can be traced back to the French Punchon roots include Ponsford, Punchard, Pouche, Poucher, Pouck, Pouder, Poulette, and Pounder. These surnames can also appear as variants of the original Punches surname, with Pousch being the most commonly used variant.

Variations of the Punches surname have been found in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, as well as in France, Canada, Australia and the United States. Punches is also the name of several places in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.

Famous people with the name Punches

• LaToya Punches: LaToya Punches is an American entertainment and lifestyle entrepreneur. She is best known as the CEO and founder of the Fashion & Beauty House, a major fashion and beauty multi-media platform based in Atlanta.
• Steve Punches: Steve Punches is a Canadian improv actor and comedian. He is best known for his performances in Second City groups, Broadways, and TV shows including “Saturday Night Live”.
• Cynthia Punches: Cynthia Punches is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. She represented District 96 from 1999 to 2008.
• Shondell Punches: Shondell Punches is a former track and field athlete who specialized in the long jump. She won a gold medal in the 4x100 Meter Relay at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Chris Punches: Chris Punches is an American actor. He has appeared in several films including “The Hangover”, “Knocked Up”, and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”.
• Andrea Punches: Andrea Punches is a former Bobsleigh competitor. She competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics and won a bronze medal in the two-woman event.
• Charley Punches: Charley Punches is a former professional basketball player. He played for the Seattle SuperSonics and the Portland Trail Blazers from 1976 to 1983.
• Matiladaka Punches: Matiladaka Punches is a former South African rugby union footballer. He played for the Springboks from 1992 to 1998.
• Beatriz Punches: Beatriz Punches is an Argentinean figure skater. She has represented her home country in several international competitions including Skate America and the World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
• Melissa Punches: Melissa Punches is an Australian singer-songwriter. She has released two albums, “Smooth Traveler” and “Waves of Life”, both of which have enjoyed success on the Australian music charts.

Other surnames

Punch