NomOrigine Background

Last Name Poirel

What is the origin of the last name Poirel?

The surname Poirel is of French origin. It is derived from a nickname or occupation, possibly referring to a pear seller or grower. In Old French, "poir" means 'pear' and "-el" is a common suffix for occupational names. As with many surnames, it likely originated as a way to identify individuals within a community by their profession or appearance.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Poirel

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Poirel

The meaning and origin of the last name Poirel

The surname Poirel is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "poirier," which means pear tree. It is therefore likely that an early bearer of this name lived near or on a property with a pear tree. Over time, it became a hereditary name passed down through generations. The surname Poirel can be found predominantly in France and regions with a strong French influence. Variations of the name include Poirier, Porel, and Poriel. It is estimated that over 450,000 people worldwide carry this surname. Notable individuals with the surname Poirel include Jean-Pierre Poirier, a Canadian journalist and politician, and Émilie Poirier, a French actress and comedian.

Geographical distribution of the last name Poirel

The last name Poirel is predominantly found in France, with significant concentrations in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. Historically, these regions have been known for their rural communities and agricultural traditions. The name Poirel is derived from the Old French word "poirier," meaning pear tree, reflecting its origin from inhabitants living near pear orchards. Smaller clusters of individuals with this surname can also be found in other French-speaking regions such as Alsace, Lorraine, and Quebec, Canada. Occasionally, the name appears in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland due to historical migration patterns. Overall, the distribution of the Poirel surname is primarily concentrated in Western Europe, with a significant concentration in France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Poirel

The surname Poirel has several variations and spellings, including Poirier, Poirot, Poiré, Pourrel, Poriel, and Poriel-Boisseau. These variations may stem from differences in regional dialects, transcription errors over time, or intentional alterations to fit cultural norms. Poirel is a French name that originates from the Old French word "poirier," meaning pear tree, reflecting its association with the fruit or the tree itself. The surname Poirier is one of the most common variations and can be traced back to various regions in France. Poirot is perhaps best known as the given name of the fictional detective character Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's novels. However, it may also serve as a variant of Poirel or Poirier. Despite these differences, all of these variations share a common root and can be considered related names.

Famous people with the last name Poirel

Pierre Poirier, born in Quebec, Canada, is a renowned journalist and author. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Governor General's Award for French-language non-fiction. Poirier has also been a member of the Canadian Parliament and served as President of the Quebec Liberal Party. In France, Alain Poiret is a well-known figure in the world of fashion. He founded the luxury label Céline in 1942, which was later purchased by LVMH. Poiret was known for his innovative designs and was a pioneer in women's ready-to-wear clothing. Lastly, Marie-Christine Poirel is a French politician who has served as the Mayor of Villeurbanne since 1989. She is also a Member of the National Assembly of France, representing the Rhône department. Marie-Christine Poirel has been a prominent figure in French politics and has held various government positions throughout her career.

Genealogical research on the last name Poirel

The Poirel surname originates from France, specifically in regions such as Normandy and Picardy. It is a toponymic name derived from various places called Poiré or Poirault, which mean "pear tree" in French. The earliest recorded occurrence of the name dates back to the 12th century in Normandy, where Villain Porel was mentioned in records around 1180 AD. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved and variations like Poirier, Poireaux, Poirelle, and Poiruel can be found across France. Some notable figures bearing this surname include Michel Poiret (1569-1648), a French mathematician and philosopher, and Édouard Poirel (1876-1945), a French physicist who made significant contributions to the understanding of X-rays. The Poirel lineage has been traced to several other European countries through migration, with many descendants residing in Canada, the United States, and Australia today.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 14 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Poiate (Last name)

surnames > poiate

The last name "Poiate" is of Romanian origin. It is believed to be derived from the word "poiata," which means "stone quarry," indicating that the original bearer of the surname ma...

Poikamukku (Last name)

surnames > poikamukku

The last name "Poikamukku" has its origin in Finland. It is a Finnish surname that is derived from a combination of the words "poika" meaning "boy" and "mukku" which is a Finnish t...

Poilpot (Last name)

surnames > poilpot

The surname Poilpot is of French origin. It comes from a nickname meaning "little pot" in French, referring to an individual who had a round head or face, much like a small pot. Ni...

Pointelin (Last name)

surnames > pointelin

The surname Pointelin is of French origin. It comes from a place-name derived from the Gallo-Roman villa of Ponthelain, located near the town of Le Crouaillois in the Calvados depa...

Poire (Last name)

surnames > poire

The last name "Poire" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word for "pear" and may have originally been a nickname for someone who either grew or sold pears or had so...

Poiret (Last name)

surnames > poiret

The surname Poiret is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "poret" which means 'pear-tree keeper'. This occupational name was given to someone who worked on a p...

Poirier (Last name)

surnames > poirier

The surname Poirier is of French origin, specifically from Normandy and Brittany regions of France. It derives from the Old French word "pierre," meaning "stone" or "pear tree." Ov...

Poirrier (Last name)

surnames > poirrier

The surname "Poirrier" is of French origin. It translates to "pear-tree worker" in English. This surname is a metonymic occupational name for a gardener who grew and tended pear tr...

Poisonn (Last name)

surnames > poisonn

The last name "Poisonn" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word "poisson," meaning "fish." It is likely an occupational surname for someone who worked as a fisherma...

Poisson (Last name)

surnames > poisson

The last name "Poisson" has its origin in France. It is derived from the French word for "fish," which can be traced back to the Latin word "piscis." It is believed that the surnam...

Poitevin (Last name)

surnames > poitevin

The last name Poitevin is of French origin. It is derived from the region of Poitou in western France. People with the last name Poitevin likely have ancestors who lived in or near...