Surname Powils - Meaning and Origin
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Powils: What does the surname Powils mean?
The last name Powils is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in Scotland. The name is derived from the Old English ‘pule’, meaning ‘headland’ or ‘ridge’, and ‘wealh’, meaning ‘foreigner’. Collectively, the name translates to ‘ridge belonging to a foreign family’. This surname is more commonly found in the Borders region of Scotland, especially in the towns of Askerton and Haltwhistle.
Little is known about the history of the Powils family, however, it is likely that the name originated in Norman times when foreign families were common in Scotland. Many of the foreign families that settled in Scotland arrived from France and England, driven away by persecution. The Powils family most likely followed this trend, settling in the region and eventually intermarrying with locals and becoming truly Scottish.
The name Powils is quite rare, with its usage fading in recent years. As of 2016, it ranked 10244 out of the 88,799 surnames recorded in the United Kingdom at the time. Despite this, the Powils family still has a small following in Scotland and further afield, particularly in the United States.
Today, words such as ‘foreigner’ carry a negative connotation, however, the name Powils serves to remind us of the many families who have come from abroad and shaped the culture and history of Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisPowils: Where does the name Powils come from?
The last name Powils is most commonly found in the United States and Europe, but the specific countries, regions, and cities vary. In the United States, the name is concentrated mostly in Pennsylvania and New York, as well as parts of Ohio and Maryland. In Europe, Powils is commonly found in England, Scotland, Germany, and Austria. In Germany, some of the most prominent cities for this surname are Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. It is also sometimes used in Spain, France, Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
In modern times, the surname is also found in other parts of the world due to migration, so it is possible to find Powils families in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It is likely that the origin of the name is from Scandinavia, but there is no way to know for certain. It is possible that the surname is derived from a place name or a word in an ancient Scandinavian language.
Overall, the last name Powils is widespread and barely limited to any region. People with this surname come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are related by the fact that their ancestors had the surname.
Variations of the surname Powils
The surname Powils is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon descent and derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century word "powell" meaning the maker of wagons or wheelwright. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Powell, Powles, Powle, Powells, Powls, Poweles, and Pulle.
Powell is the most common spelling of the surname. It is primarily used in England, Wales, and Australia, and is sometimes also spelled Powell. The double 'l' is found more frequently in America, however the single 'l' form can also be found across the pond.
The variant Powles is mostly found in Scotland, suggesting an alternative origin of the surname arriving with Scandinavian settlers.
Powle and Powells are variants of the same origin, respectively found in Ireland and Australia.
Powls and Poweles are both anglicized versions of the surname, and are found mainly in the United States.
Finally, the variant Pulle is commonly found in continental Europe and is a possible alternation of the English spelling.
Whilst the spelling has changed over time, the origin of the surname Powils remains the same, that of a wagon or wheelwright.
Famous people with the name Powils
- Mitchell Powell, professional basketball player with the Milwaukee Bucks
- Jenette Powils, American musician and bass guitarist
- Nick Powell, English footballer
- Ian Powell, British businessman and the chairman, former managing partner and senior partner of PwC UK
- Brooke Powils, American actress
- Eddie Powils, American baseball player
- Lee Powils Jr., Australian Paralympic swimmer
- Sydnee Powils, British songwriter and vocalist
- Greg Powils, American professional poker player
- Robert Powils, English writer