Surname Pulleyn - Meaning and Origin

Pulleyn: What does the surname Pulleyn mean?

The last name Pulleyn is of English origin and can be traced as far back as medieval times. It is derived from the Old English name Pulleine which means a 'little hair'. Additionally, the last name may be traced back to an English place name found in the Oxfordshire county of England. Historically, Pulleyn was an occupational surname, meaning that the people having it once were employed as bailiffs or stewards of a Lord's estate.

In modern times, the last name Pulleyn is considered to be a relatively rare surname. It occurs mostly in Britain, particularly in England, and is especially common in the Oxfordshire area. Additionally, it has also been observed in Wales, Canada, and Australia.

The surname Pulleyn is interesting because it is derived from an interesting root word. The Pulleine roots being attached to hair gives the surname a unique meaning, with those bearing it being connected to a sense of strength and resilience.

In some ways, the surname Pulleyn reflects the tenacity of the people who once held the name. In both past and present, the name is a reminder of the strength of the family’s resilience to the test of time. Currently, the name is relatively rare, however many of those bearing it still likely have a strong connection to their past.

Pulleyn: Where does the name Pulleyn come from?

The last name Pulleyn is a relatively rare name today, especially in the traditional English spelling of Pulleyn. It is most commonly found in the UK, particularly Scotland, where the name is thought to have originated.

The name Pulleyn is not particularly common in other countries, however, it can be found in some areas of Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is also found in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

The origin of the Pulleyn name is not certain, but it appears to be of English origin. The name may have originated from a place in Northamptonshire near the River Nene. The name most likely referred to a pulley used to launch boats on the river.

In Scotland, Pulleyn is thought to have derived from the surname MacPulleyne, which was found in the Isle of Wight and Isle of Man. This may have been a form of the Gaelic MacPholain meaning “son of the jackdaw”.

Today, the name Pulleyn is still fairly uncommon, although there are quite a few people in the UK who still carry the name. The highest concentrations are found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the United States, the name can be found predominantly in the New England states.

Variations of the surname Pulleyn

The Pulleyn surname is an occupational name that dates back to Medieval England. It is an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the Old English word ‘pullan’, which means 'to pull'. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Pulleyn include Pullein, Pullin, Pullan, Puleyne, Pulen, Pollin, Pullyn, and Pulling.

Pulleyn originated as a patronymic surname, which is derived from the father’s first name. In ancient times, the name Pulleyn was a status name for someone who performed manual labor such as pullers of plows, oars, or fishing nets.

Variations of the name Pulleyn may be found in various records such as the Doomsday Book of 1086, where Pullan and Pullin are listed. The surname is also found in the early records of Scotland, with Pullen being a common variant.

The variations of the surname Pulleyn can be found in many countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In some areas, such as Wales, there are variants such as Pollan and Pullen.

The variations of the name Pulleyn were also adopted by some members of the Huguenot community after they settled in France. As a result, the Pulleyn surname can also be found among French records, with Pollan and Pullen as the most common variants.

Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Pulleyn, which reflects its long history and its global distribution.

Famous people with the name Pulleyn

• William Pulleyn (1800-1871): Born in Plymouth, England, William Pulleyn ran one of England’s first 19th century railways “The Pulleyn and Son Railroad”.
• Mary Pulleyn (1807-1901): Mary Pulleyn was an English social activist and philanthropist who established several charities in Plymouth and England.
• Sylvester Pulleyn (1822-1867): Sylvester Pulleyn was a British entrepreneur, inventor and philanthropist who founded the “The Pulleyn and Son” Shipping Line and invested in the newest technologies of his time.
• Alexander Pulleyn (1833-1885): Alexander Pulleyn was a renowned botanist and plant collector. He was known for his deep knowledge of plants and was hired to collect both living and preserved samples from Central and South America.
• Edmund Augustus Pulleyn (1838-1899): Edmund Pulleyn was a famous London lawyer and Secretary to the Commissioners of Ancient Monuments. He was also the author of several papers on heraldry and a passionate collector of rare books.
• Henry Pulleyn (1843-1912): Henry Pulleyn was a prominent minister in the Church of England and a writer on faith. He is best remembered for his book “Defence of the Right of Sacraments”.
• Agnes Pulleyn (1850-1926): Agnes Pulleyn was a pioneering British women's health advocate. She was one of the earliest advocates of birth control and publicly championed the benefits of amelioration of women's health.
• Robert Pulleyne (1858-1937): Robert Pulleyne was a British painter who was celebrated in his lifetime for his works depicting scenes of nature. His 1891 painting of “The Waterfall at Stowe” has become a celebrated masterpiece.

Other surnames

PullenPullengerPulley