POLL
Poll
Poll is a surname of English origin, particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom. The name derives from the Middle English word "polle," which referred to a person with a large head or a person with a round or bald head. It is considered to be an occupational surname for a person who maintained and sheared sheep, as the term "poll" also relates to the practice of clipping the wool off sheep's heads.
Origins:
The surname Poll is believed to have originated in the early medieval period in England. It is thought to have been first used as a nickname for someone with a distinctive physical trait, such as a large or round head.
Distribution:
The surname Poll is found throughout the United Kingdom, with concentrations in regions such as Devon, Somerset, and Yorkshire. Over time, individuals with the surname Poll have migrated to various parts of the British Empire, further spreading the name to regions such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Notable Individuals:
- John Poll (1811–1885) - A British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Kent.
- Victoria Poll (b. 1980) - An acclaimed British actress known for her roles in theatre and television.
- David Poll (1925–2010) - A renowned British scientist and researcher in the field of environmental conservation.
Coat of Arms:
The Poll family coat of arms is described as a shield with a crest depicting a sheep's head symbolising the wool trade or the agricultural origins associated with the surname.
References:
- Hanks, Patrick, et al., editors. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
- Reaney, P. H., and Wilson, R. M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
There are approximately 775 people named Poll in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,993rd most common surname in Britain. Around 12 in a million people in Britain are named Poll.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Jonathan
- Michael
- Nicholas
- Nigel
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Barbara
- Betty
- Carol
- Claire
- Deborah
- Jacqueline
- Janet
- Karen
- Katharine
- Katherine
- Margaret
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
- Sylvia
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.