This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Pointon family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Pointon Family History

Pointon Surname Meaning

English (West Midlands) is a habitational name derived from various locations such as Pointon (Lincolnshire), which is recorded as Pochinton in 1086, Poynton (Cheshire), noted as Povinton in 1249, Poynton (Shropshire), listed as Peventone in 1086, or Povington (Dorset), recorded as Povintone in 1086.

The Lincolnshire placename likely originates from the Old English personal name Pohha combined with the Old English connective -ing- and tūn, meaning ‘farmstead’ or ‘estate’. Similarly, the Cheshire placename comes from an Old English personal name Pofa plus -ing- and tūn.

The placenames in Shropshire and Dorset are derived from the Old English personal name Pēofa with the same connective -ing- and tūn or possibly from the genitive form of the personal name Pēofan with tūn.

Alternatively, the origin may be linked to Pointhorne in Croxden (Staffordshire), suggesting a combination of Middle English point, meaning ‘spike’, and thorn, meaning ‘thorn tree’. This placename is historically recorded as Pointon in 1775.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Pointon family from?

You can see how Pointon families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Pointon family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Pointon families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 775 Pointon families living in Staffordshire. This was about 55% of all the recorded Pointon's in United Kingdom. Staffordshire had the highest population of Pointon families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Pointon surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Pointon ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Pointon. 8% of Pointon men worked as a General Labourer and 66% of Pointon women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Pointon were Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Dut.

View Census Data for Pointon | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    8%
  • Colliery Hewer
    8%
  • Incapacitated
    6%
  • Farmer
    6%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    66%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic Dutie
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic Dut
    3%

What Pointon family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 21,000 census records available for the last name Pointon. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Pointon census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Pointon

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Pointon. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Pointon immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Pointon. For the veterans among your Pointon ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Pointon military records

You've only scratched the surface of Pointon family history

Discover More

What is the average Pointon lifespan?

Between 1949 and 2004, in the United States, Pointon life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Pointon in 1949 was 45, and 79 in 2004.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Pointon ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Pointon family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial