Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Poirel

Discover my family history now

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.

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...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Poiani

Last name • surnames > poiani

The surname Poiani is of Italian origin. It is a locative surname, which means it was originally used to identify someone from a specific place, in this case, possibly from the tow...

#2 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...

#3 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...

#4 Poilane

Last name • surnames > poilane

The surname Poilane is of French origin and comes from a diminutive form of the word "poil," which means "hair" or "head" in French. It was originally used as a nickname for someon...

#5 Poileau

Last name • surnames > poileau

The surname Poileau is of French origin and is derived from a geographical or topographical name for someone who lived near a well or a spring. It comes from the Old French word "p...

#6 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...

#7 Point

Last name • surnames > point

The surname Point is of Old French origin and was originally a nickname for someone who lived near a landmark such as a point, headland, or promontory. It could also have been used...

#8 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...

#9 Poiraudeau

Last name • surnames > poiraudeau

The surname Poiraudeau is a French patronymic name derived from the given name Pierre, which means "rock" in French. The suffix "-aud(e)" is a diminutive form, often used to create...

#10 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...

#11 Poiree

Last name • surnames > poiree

The surname Poirée is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "poirier," meaning "pear tree." In feudal times, it was a common practice to adopt surnames that wer...

#12 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...

#13 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...

#14 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...

#15 Poisnel

Last name • surnames > poisnel

The surname Poisnel is of French origin. It is derived from a variety of place names in France, primarily in Normandy and Brittany, which are named after the Old Norse personal nam...