Surname Powels - Meaning and Origin
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Powels: What does the surname Powels mean?
The last name Powels is of British origin and is commonly found in England, Scotland, and Ireland. The source of the name is believed to come from the Welsh personal name Paul, which is a derivative of the Latin word for "small". It may also derive from the Latin term "paulus" meaning humble.
The earliest recorded instances of the Powels surname come from the 13th century, when it was used to describe one particular family. In 1320, Peter Paulis was recorded in the Assize Rolls of Warwickshire. Later, in 1639, the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire indicate the existence of one John Powel, suggesting that the name had become anglicized during the intervening years.
Throughout its history, the Powels family have been farmers or landowners, with many of their descendants occupying similar roles today. There are many spellings of the name, ranging from Poweles, Powels, Powell, and Powle, with none having more authoritative precedence.
Despite possible derivations, the Powels surname certainly has a history all its own. The name has stood the test of time and exists as a proud heritage in the family today.
Order DNA origin analysisPowels: Where does the name Powels come from?
The last name Powels can be found all over the world today. In the United States, the surname is most commonly seen in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions, with pockets of Powels families in other parts of the country. The surname is also quite common in the United Kingdom, with strong concentrations in Wales, England, and Scotland. Similarly, Powels is common throughout all regions of Canada.
The surname originates from the Welsh language, where the surname Powels means "son of Paul." The given name Paul is derived from the Roman (Latin) family name Paulus, which translates to "the small one" or "the humble one." The name Paul was also frequently used in biblical references. Despite its Welsh origin, the last name Powels has been found in many other countries, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, and India.
Though seldom seen outside of Britain and its former colonies, Powels has become a surname that has spread all over the world. Still today, families descended from traditional Powels lineages, living in different corners of the world, can trace their family’s lineage back to the same source.
Variations of the surname Powels
The surname Powels derives from the Welsh patronymic surname ap Howell, meaning "son of Howell." It is a variation of the popular Welsh surname Powell. Variants of the surname Powels include Powel, Powles, Powell, Powells, Powleson, and Powelson.
Spelling variations of Powels also exist and appear in the records. These include Powle, Powers, Power, and Powlesly. In some cases, corresponding spellings may be found in different countries, such as the English Powels, the American Powells, and the Scottish Powieson.
There are a few different surnames of similar origin to Powels, such as Powell, Powles, Poules, Powl, and even Puels and Paule. The Welsh surname "Pugh" is often said to be related to Powell, since it was derived from the same root. Similarly to Powels, Pugh can be spelled a variety of ways, including Pew, Pewe, Pughs, and Pews.
Most of the surnames that are related to Powels are found in the British Isles, with some being popular in certain areas and rare in others. The name Powels, for example, is most commonly found in the West Country of England: Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, while Powell is more common in Wales and the Midlands.
In conclusion, the surname ‘Powels’ has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. While some, such as Pugh and Powell, are quite common, others, like Powieson and Powleson, are much rarer.
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