Surname Pook - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pook: What does the surname Pook mean?
The surname Pook is of English or German origin. In Old English, 'pook' or a variation of it often referred to a 'goblin' or 'demon'; however, it's not confirmed that this particular meaning is directly related to the surname Pook. Germanic roots may spell it as 'Puck', referencing a mischievous nature spirit in ancient folklore. Another interpretation is that it originates from a profession of 'puke,' which is a maker of long, relaxing outer garments, common in medieval times. Another suggestion is that it could be from a nickname for someone who resembled a particular bird. However, it may simply relate to a place, person, trade, or nickname in the past that has been lost over time. While mainly found in Britain, it can be found in different forms in other countries, but the exact meaning may have been lost over centuries. Surnames often first served as a way to distinguish people with the same first name, and may have been related to professions, places of residence, physical attributes or behaviors.
Order DNA origin analysisPook: Where does the name Pook come from?
The last name Pook is most commonly found in the United Kingdom where it has been present since the 1800s. The name is particularly common in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. It is also found in parts of Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States.
In the United Kingdom, Pook is an uncommon but established name and has a rich history. According to a source from 1939, the name dates back to Saxon times when it was the name of a minor Saxon chieftain converted to Christianity. In more recent times, the name is linked to the popular dancehalls and music halls in 19th century Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset.
Pook families living in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia have likely emigrated from the U.K. in fairly recent decades. In the United States, Pook has most notably been found in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The last name Pook is undoubtedly an old English name, but family members carrying it in the present day certainly vary from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Its resurgence in recent times may be down to anglicization and new immigrants to English-speaking countries - considering Pook families are no longer concentrated in one single region of the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Pook
The surname Pook has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.
One of the most common variant spellings is Pooks, which replaces the letter “o” with the letter “s.” This variant form of the surname Pook can occur in records dating back to the 16th century.
Other variant forms of the surname Pook include Pooke, Poole, Powk, and Pookes. This variant form of the surname substitutes the letter “k” for the letter “o,” and is the rarest of the variant spellings.
In addition to the variant spellings, the surname Pook can also take the form of several other surnames, depending on where the family originated from. These surnames may include Poole, Powers, Pooler, Poeller, and Pooley. For example, the Pooler surname is derived from the location of Poole in Dorset, England, while the Poeller surname could have originated from Poel, Germany.
The surname Pook is believed to have originated in North England and can be traced back to the parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is thought that the name was derived partly from the old English word “puca,” which means goblin. It is also possible that the name was derived from an old Norse word, “pik,” which means a peak, or mountaintop.
In conclusion, the surname Pook has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Pooks, Poole, Powk, and Pookes. Additionally, the surname can take the form of Pooler, Poeller, Pooley, Powers, and several others, depending on where the family originated from. The surname is believed to have originated in North England.
Famous people with the name Pook
- Matthew Pook: an English film composer.
- Christopher Pook: an English motor racing promoter, organiser, and manager.
- Michael Pook: a professional footballer who has represented a number of clubs including Fulham and Southampton.
- John Pook: an English actor from Brighton, as well as a singer, director, and writer.
- Riya Pook: a British para-swimmer who has competed in multiple disabilities events and represented England in the 2012 Summer Paralympics.
- Peter Pook: a British jazz saxophonist who has performed with a number of jazz groups and big bands.
- Colin Pook: a British composer and conductor of classical music.
- Princess Diana of Wales (née Spencer): whose great-grandmother was Harriet Pook.
- Brian Pook: the original lead singer of the British rock group Girlschool.
- Graham Pook: a British novelist and screenwriter.