Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Plum English, German, JewishEnglish and North German: from Middle English plum(b)e, Middle Low German plum(e) ‘plum’, hence a topographic name for someone who lived by a plum tree, or a metonymic occupational name for a fruit grower... [
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Plumer German, English, DutchNorth German (Plümer) and English: variant of
Plum, the suffix -er denoting habitation or occupation. Altered form of South German
Pflümer, an occupational name for a grower or seller of plums, from an agent derivative of Middle High German pflume ‘plum’... [
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Plumier French, BelgianPossibly an occupational name for a dealer in feathers and quills, from an agent derivative of Old French
plume "feather, plume" (compare English and Dutch
Plumer)... [
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Plummer English1. Occupational name for a worker in lead, especially a maker of lead pipes and conduits, from Anglo-Norman French plom(m)er, plum(m)er ‘plumber’, from plom(b), plum(b) ‘lead’ (Latin plumbum)... [
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Plumtree EnglishFrom any of the locations called Plumtree for anyone who lived near a plum tree derived from Old English
plume "plum" and
treow "tree".
Plunket EnglishEither an occupational name for someone who sold plunket, a "coarse white woollen cloth", or a location in France with the name Planquette or Planquenet.
Pniewski Polish, JewishHabitational name for someone from Pniewy in the district of Poznań, or from any of the many places in Poland named Pniewo.
Po ItalianDerived from
Po the longest river in Italy (651,8 km). It flows eastward across northern Italy starting from the Cottian Alps across the regions: Piemonte, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto... [
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Pobanz GermanNickname for a braggart or bogeyman, of uncertain Slavic origin.
Pobjoy EnglishFrom a medieval nickname for someone thought to resemble a parrot, from Middle English
papejai,
popinjay "parrot". This probably denoted someone who was talkative or who dressed in bright colours, although it may have described a person who excelled at the medieval sport of pole archery, i.e. shooting at a wooden parrot on a pole.
Podbielski PolishHabitational name for someone from a place called Podbielsko in Konin voivodeship.
Podda ItalianFrom Sardinian
podda "flour", or
pudda "chicken".
Podriznik SloveneFrom the article of clothing of the same name worn by priests, possibly denoting a maker of them or perhaps a relative of a clergyman.
Poe EnglishFrom a medieval nickname for a vain or flamboyantly dressed person (from Old Norse
pá "peacock"). American author and poet Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was a famous bearer.
Poehler GermanGerman (Westphalian): topographic name for someone who lived by a muddy pool, from an agent noun derived from Middle Low
pol ‘(muddy) pool’.
Pogonowski PolishThis indicates familial origin within either of 2 Lesser Polish villages.
Poh GermanFrom a dialect word for standard German Pfau ‘peacok’, a nickname for a vain person or for someone with a strutting gait.
Põhjala EstonianPõhjala is an Estonian surname meaning "the North" and "Northern area" as well as "Norse".
Pohla EstonianPohla is an Estonian surname derived from "pohl" ("lingonberry").
Põim EstonianPõim is an Estonian surname derived from "põimima" ("enlace" or "entwine")' loosely meaning "weaver".
Pointe FrenchDerivation of the name is from the pre 10th century Old French "pointe" meaning a sharp or pointed end, and ultimately from the Latin "puncta", to pierce.
Poisson FrenchPoisson is the French word for fish, and was given to one who was a fishmonger, fisherman, or could be a nickname for one who had the appearance similar to a fish.
Poitier FrenchEvidently an altered spelling of
Pothier. A famous bearer of this surname was the Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier (1927-2022).
Poland English, German, French (Anglicized), Irish (Anglicized)English and German name is derived from the Middle High German
Polan, which means "Poland". The surname originally signified a person with Polish connections.This French surname originated from an occupational name of a poultry breeder, or from a fearful person; it is derived from the Old French
poule, which means "chicken".In other cases, particularly in Ireland, the English Poland is a variant of Polin,which is in turn an Anglicised form of the original Gaelic spelling of
Mac Póilín, which translated from Irish means "son of little Paul"... [
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Polat TurkishMeans "steel" in Persian. Many Turkish Oghuz descendants are using this surname.
Põldmäe EstonianPõldmäe is an Estonian surname meaning "field hill/mountain".
Põldoja EstonianPõldoja is an Estonian surname meaning "field stream/creek".
Polgar HungarianHungarian word for citizen. Taken on by Jewish Hungarians during World War Two to avoid Nazi attention for having 'Jewish' last names.
Polhem Swedish (Rare)Derived from
Polhammar, itself of uncertain origin. A notable bearer was Swedish scientist and inventor Christopher Polhem (1661-1751).
Polidori ItalianMeans "son of
Polidoro". Famous bearers include John William Polidori (1795-1821), a physician to Lord Byron and author of 'The Vampyre' (1819), and his sister Frances Polidori (1800-1886), the mother of painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, poet Christina Rossetti, critic William Michael Rossetti, and author Maria Francesca Rossetti.
Polinski PolishHabitational name from Polinowo in Pila voivodeship or Polinów in Biala Podlaska voivodeship.
Polite EnglishDerived from the English word polite. This name was most likely given to a person who was considered to be polite.
Politis GreekPolitis derives from the Greek word polis, which means 'city'. Therefore Politis means 'citizen'. According to some historians people with this surname have ancestors who came from Constantinople, which was commonly called Polis in the Byzantine era.
Politzer Hungarian, German, JewishHabitational name derived from any one of several places called
Police (known as
Pölitz in German) in the Czech Republic. Hugh David Politzer (1949-) is an American theoretical physicist who, along with David Gross and Frank Wilczek, discovered asymptotic freedom.
Pollari FinnishFinnish surname from farms with said name in central Finland.
Põllu EstonianPõllu is an Estonian surname meaning "arable" or "agrestic"; associated with farming ("farmer" = "põllumees").
Põllumees EstonianPõllumees is an Estonian surname meaning "farmer"; literally "agrestic (põllu) man (mees)".
Polnareff FrenchMost known by famous French singer Michel Polnareff, and fictional Jojo's Bizarre Adventure character Jean-Pierre Polnareff (who is named after the singer).
Polombo ItalianDerived from Palombo literally meaning "Ring Dove" or Palombella meaning "Wood Pigeon" in the dialects of Southern Italy.
Poloskin RussianDerived from полоска
(poloska), a diminutive of полоса
(polosa) meaning "stripe, strip, streak". This may have been a nickname for a tall and thin person.
Polski Polish, JewishNickname for a Polish person, originating in areas of mixed populations.
Poltimore English (Rare)Rare English surname derived from a Devon place name of Celtic origin, allegedly meaning “pool by the large house”.
Polychronakis GreekThe suffix 'akis' indicates that this name comes from the island of Crete. The precise meaning is unknown, though it is theorised that, as 'poly' means "many" or "much" and 'chron' might be supposed to come from the same root as 'Chronos' meaning "time", the name means "much time" or "long time".
Pomante ItalianAn occupational name for someone who farms or sells fruit, from Italian
pomo "apple", descended from Latin
pomum "fruit, fruit tree".
Pomerantz GermanOccupational name for an importer or seller of bitter (Seville) oranges, Middle High German
pomeranz (medieval Latin
pomarancia, composed of the elements
arancia, the name imported with the fruit.
Pomerantz JewishFrom the Yiddish word פּאָמעראַנץ
(pomerants) meaning "orange (fruit)".
Pomeroy EnglishFrom an English surname meaning "dweller by the apple orchard".
Pompei ItalianHabitational name from a place called Pompei in Naples province. Or a patronymic or plural form of
Pompeo.
Ponce Spanish, EnglishThe Ponce name was carried into England after the migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066.'Ponce' is derived from 'Ponsoby',a place in Cumberland, where the family settled. The Ponce motto is 'Pro rege, lege grege' meaning "For the King, law, and people"
Ponce SpanishDerived from Latin
Pontius. Could be originated from an Ancient Roman town named "Italica" near another town named "Santiponce" in Seville, Spain.
Pongsilpipat ThaiFrom Thai พงศ์ (
pong) meaning "family, race", ศิลป์ (
sin) meaning "art", พิพัฒน์ (
phiphat) of unknown meaning.
Poniatowski PolishThis indicates familial origin within the Lesser Polish town of Poniatowa.
Ponomarenko UkrainianOccupational name for a church bell-ringer from Ukrainian парамонар
(paramonar) meaning "sexton".
Pontiff FrenchMeans "bridge builder". Comes from the French word
pont, which means bridge. ... [
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Ponton ScottishFirst recording of surname in scotland in 1306 in the town of Ayr Scotland. I have many links showing ties to Scotland.
Pontz EnglishThe name Pontz likely came from Germanic origin, probably originating from the German Pflanzen.
Pooga EstonianPooga is an Estonian surname derived from "pooge" meaning "graft/grafting".
Pool EnglishTopographic name for someone who lived near a pool or pond, Middle English pole (Old English pōl), or a habitational name from any of the places named with this word, as for example Poole in Dorset, South Pool in Devon, and Poole Keynes in Gloucestershire.
Pool EstonianPool is an Estonian surname meaning "at", "to", "towards", as well as "half". Derived from the location in which one lived.
Pooley EnglishHabitational name from Pooley Bridge in Cumbria, so named from Old English pol ‘pool’ + Old Norse haugr ‘hill’, ‘mound’. topographic name from Middle English pole ‘pool’ + ey ‘low-lying land’ or hey ‘enclosure’
Poopuu EstonianPoopuu is an Estonian surname, possibly derived from "poom" ("beam") "puu" ("wood" or "tree").
Pöör EstonianPöör is an Estonian surname meaning "crossbar" and "fall bar".
Poor EnglishReferred to someone who was poor or impoverished.
Poortman DutchOccupational name for a gatekeeper or topographic name for someone who lived near the gates of a fortified town, from Dutch
poort meaning "gate" and
man meaning "man".
Poortvliet DutchFrom the name of the village and former municipality called
Poortvliet in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands, derived from Middle Dutch
port meaning "port, harbour, storage yard, city" and
vliet meaning "brook, stream, river, creek, inlet"... [
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Põõsas EstonianPõõsas is an Estonian surname meaning "bush" and "shrub".
Poot EstonianPoot is an Estonian surname meaning "boat", derived from the German "boot" ("boat").
Popalzai PashtoMeaning unknown, possibly derived from Persian پوپل
(pupal) meaning "betel nut". The Popalzai are a Pashtun sub-tribe of the
Durrani in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan.
Popoola Yoruba"The way of the rich man" or "The way of prosperity"
Popp EnglishDerived from an Old English personal name,
Poppa, of unknown origin and meaning.
Porcelli ItalianFrom Italian
porcello, meaning "piglet". Used to denote someone who worked as a swineherd, or perhaps a nickname for someone who resembled a piglet in some way.
Pork EstonianPork is an Estonian surname possibly derived from "põrkama" meaning to "bound", "strike", and "bump". bounce, spring
Porko FinnishMeaning uncertain, possibly derived from Finnish
poro meaning "reindeer".
Poroshenko UkrainianFrom Ukrainian порох
(porokh) meaning "(gun)powder, dust", used as an occupational name for someone who made or sold gunpowder. A notable bearer is current Ukrainian president
Petro Poroshenko (1965-).
Porss EstonianPorss is an Estonian surname meaning "bog myrtle" and "bayberry".
Porte Frenchfrom Old French
porte "gateway entrance" (from Latin
porta) hence a topographic name for someone who lived near the gates of a fortified town (typically the man in charge of them).
Porteous ScottishA topographic surname for someone who lived in the lodge at the entrance to a manor house, derived from Middle English
port, meaning "gateway" or "entrance", and
hous meaning "house". It can also be an occupational name with similar meaning, derived from Latin
portarius meaning "porter"... [
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Portera ItalianOccupational name for a female servant, from Spanish portera.
Portman EnglishStatus name meaning "townsman, burgher, citizen" in Middle English, derived from Old English
port "port, harbour" (from Latin
portus) and
mann "person, man".
Portmann GermanOccupational name for a gatekeeper, derived from Middle Low German
port(e) meaning "gate" and
man, or a topographic name for someone who lived near the gates of a fortified town.
Portnyagin RussianDerived from Russian портняга
(portnyaga), a colloquial nickname derived from портной
(portnoy) meaning "tailor, clothier".
Portokalos GreekFrom the Greek word
πορτοκάλι (
portokáli), which means "orange." The name could refer either to farmers who maintained an orange orchard / grove or someone who had an orange aspect to their appearance or demeanor.
Portola Spanish, Portuguese, Romani (Caló)Portola is Spanish and Portuguese for Port and is a Romani calo surname. People include Gaspar de Portolá, a Spanish explorer who was the first governor of Baja and Alta California and had many names after him in California cities and streets.
Portrey JewishOrigin uncertain. Perhaps an altered form of Jewish Portnoy of North German Portner.
Portugal Spanish, Portuguese, English, Catalan, French, JewishSpanish, Portuguese, Catalan, English, French, and Jewish surname meaning ethnic name or regional name for someone from Portugal or who had connections with Portugal. The name of the country derives from Late Latin Portucale, originally denoting the district around Oporto (Portus Cales, named with Latin portus ‘port’, ‘harbor’ + Cales, the ancient name of the city)... [
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Porziņģis LatvianUnknown. A notable bearer of this surname is NBA player Kristaps Porziņģis.
Posada ItalianSpanish: habitational name from any of the numerous places named Posada, from posada ‘halt’, ‘resting place’. ... [
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Posavec CroatianDenotes a person living in Posavina, an area that is adjacent or near the Sava river in Croatia.
Posey English, FrenchDerived from the Greek word "desposyni." The Desposyni is a term referring to a group of people that are allegedly direct blood relatives to Jesus. They are mentioned in Mark 3:21 and Mark 3:31. American actress Parker Posey is a famous bearer.
Postgate EnglishFrom Postgate in Danby (NR Yorks) which is recorded as Postgate in the 12th century. The place-name derives from Old English
post "post pillar" and Old Scandinavian
gata ‘way path road" or Old English
gaet "gate".