Poythress Family History

English: variant of Poytress, a Worcestershire and Gloucestershire surname originally a nickname for one who is scantily clad or in the buff from Anglo-Norman French poi dras ‘little clothing’ (i.e. wearing none at all) from Old French poi ‘few little’ and dras ‘clothes’ (plural of drap ‘garment’).

The phrase was used as a mocking nickname for the naked Jesus in the late medieval Chester crucifixion play and occurs as a surname in England from c. 1200. Development of Poydras (1527) to Poitheres (1564) and Poytherus (1701) has been noted in the parish of Fownhope (Herefordshire).

The surname Poythress is no longer found in Britain.