Surname Powling - Meaning and Origin
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Powling: What does the surname Powling mean?
The last name Powling is of English origin and has two possible derivations. The most likely origin is that it is a nickname either from the Old English word poling meaning “pole,” or from the Middle English poling meaning “small round-headed nail.” As such, the name would have been given to someone who was tall and thin, or who was fond of metalworking.
The other possible origin of the Powling surname is toponymic, as it could derive from the place name Powling, located in Hunstanton, Norfolk, England. This placename is of unknown origin, though its earliest record dating to 1059 suggests a connection to the Old Norse word pól meaning “pool.” This suggests a connection with a nearby body of water.
Thus, it is likely that Powling is a surname derived from either a physical trait or a place name. Whatever its origin, the name has been around since the Middle Ages. It is likely that other regional variants of the surname may exist, as there are more than 1000 places named Powling mentioned in records around the world (including those in Australia, Canada and the United States).
Order DNA origin analysisPowling: Where does the name Powling come from?
The last name Powling is most common today in the United Kingdom. According to forebears.io, in 2019 the United Kingdom had the highest population of people bearing the last name Powling - 8,484 people to be exact.
Additionally, the last name Powling can be found in countries across the British Isles, including Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and it also has a presence in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The last name Powling has a long and storied history in the United Kingdom, tracing its roots back to Old English, and the Anglo-Saxon language. The name was eventually anglicized during the Great Migration in the 1600-1700s.
At the time of the Great Migration, the Powling name was quite common, particularly throughout the English Midlands, which was heavily populated by immigrants during the period.
In more recent years, the Powling family has continued to be a popular last name trailblazing in a number of fields. This includes notable British Olympians, such as rowing brothers Eric and Robert Powling, Scottish footballer Archie Powling, and England cricketer John Powling.
Therefore, the last name Powling is still recognizable today as a popular British surname that continues to represent a diverse range of communities, athletes, and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, and other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Powling
The surname Powling has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname is believed to have originated as a patronymic name from the English surname "Powell". Variations of the surname Powling include Powel, Powl, Powell, Pawling, Poles, and Polling. It has also been recorded as Pownall, Paullin, Poulain, Pawelin, Polen, Polon, and Povall.
The surname Powling originated in the English county of Wiltshire in the 12th century, where its first recorded spelling was "Robert Paweling". During the medieval period, surnames were recorded in documents and records, such as the feet of fines and deeds. During this period, the surname would have been used to refer to a wide variety of people, from males who lived in a household with the same last name, to those who had acquired the surname to distinguish them from others.
The surname Powling can also be found in Cornwall, England, and is likely associated with the area's copper mining industry. In Scotland, the surname Powling is associated with the Clan Leslie, which has its roots in Aberdeenshire. This clan was founded during the 12th century and took part in many battles over the centuries.
The word "Powling" is thought to be derived from the old English word "Poel", meaning "to pull". The surname, then, may have originally referred to someone who "pulled" or hauled items. It could also have been a nickname given to someone who was known for their strength or their ability to pull things. Another possible origin of the surname is the Old French "paullin" which meant "little Paul".
Famous people with the name Powling
- Jack Powling: English professional footballer.
- David Powling: Canadian performer and recording artist.
- Emma Powling: Academy Award winning British costume and production designer.
- Isadora Powling: Brazilian actress.
- Hugh Powling: British accountancy professor and executive director.
- Wendy Powling: British politician and former Member of Parliament.
- Mackenzie Powling: Canadian Olympic gold medalist and World Cup alpine ski racer.
- Phoebe Powling: Lead character in the children's books series, Granny Weatherwax.
- Alexander Powling: British photographer, specializing in shooting architecture.
- Steve Powling: English professional rugby league player.