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 name "Porstein" or "Pórsteinn," composed of the elements "Pór" (meaning "farmer") and "steinn" (meaning "stone"). This surname was likely originally a nickname for someone who was stout or strong, like a stone, or for someone from a place named after such a person. Over time, it became a hereditary surname as families took on distinctive names to distinguish themselves.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Poisnel
The meaning and origin of the last name Poisnel
The surname Poisnel is of French origin, derived from various place names in France that bear similar names, such as Poincel, Poincy, and Poinsenel. These places share a common element meaning "little pine" or "pine bush," which is derived from the Old French words "poinçon" (meaning pine cone) or "pin" (meaning pine tree). Over time, these place names evolved into various surnames as people began to identify themselves by their place of origin. The Poisnel surname may have originated from any one of these locations and was likely passed down through generations as families moved and settled in different regions. Today, the Poisnel name is relatively rare but can be found in various countries with French-speaking populations, particularly France and Canada.
Geographical distribution of the last name Poisnel
The surname Poisnel is predominantly found in France, with a significant concentration in the northwestern region, particularly around Brittany and Normandy. These regions have historical connections to the French monarchy and Norman conquest of England, which may contribute to the origin of this surname. A smaller number of Poisnel descendants can also be traced in other parts of France and in the French-speaking Canadian provinces, particularly Quebec, due to historical migration patterns. It's worth noting that the name may have variant spellings such as Poincelot, Poinsenot, and Poisnelle, reflecting regional dialects and transcribing errors over time.
Variants and spellings of the last name Poisnel
The surname Poisnel has several variations and spellings. Some of the common variants include Poinzelot, Poinzoul, and Poinsinet, which are French derivatives. In English, it might be spelled as Poinsett or Poinsette, both pronounced similarly to Poisnel but originating from a different root word. Additionally, there may be slight regional variations in the spelling of the name over time and across different countries, especially among families that immigrated. However, it's important to note that surnames can sometimes be misspelled or altered during migration due to differences in language, phonetic interpretation, or record-keeping errors. Therefore, it is possible to find variations or alternative spellings of the name Poisnel.
Famous people with the last name Poisnel
Notable individuals with the surname Poisnel include:
1. Léon Poisnel (1829-1875), a French sculptor who was primarily known for his monumental works and portraits, including the statue of Louis XIII in Paris.
2. Jacques Poisnel (born 1949), a French mathematician specializing in number theory and algebraic geometry. He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences.
3. Émile Poisnel (1865-1907), a French explorer who led an expedition to Madagascar in 1895, during which he discovered several previously unknown species, including the Poisnel's lemur.
4. Pierre Poisnel (born 1952), a French winemaker and owner of Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault, Burgundy, France. He is known for his production of high-quality white wines.
Genealogical research on the last name Poisnel
The Poisnel surname is of French origin, primarily found in the Normandy region, although it has also been recorded in other parts of France and Belgium. The name is derived from various locales in Normandy such as Poissy, Puisaye, or Puisnel, indicating that the original bearer likely resided in one of these areas.
The earliest recorded spelling of the family name dates back to the late 13th century when a Hugues de Poisnel was mentioned in historical documents from Normandy. Throughout the centuries, the family has produced notable figures such as Pierre Poisnel, a French scholar and professor at the Sorbonne in Paris during the 16th century, and General Jean-Baptiste Poisnel, who served under Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Poisnel family's history is also intertwined with the settlement of New France (Canada) as many descendants emigrated to the colonies in search of new opportunities. The family name is still present today, with notable concentrations in France and Canada, demonstrating a rich history spanning over seven centuries.
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
