POTTINGER
Pottinger
Pottinger is a surname of English origin, believed to have originated from a place-name referring to someone living in a valley with the suffix "-er" indicating the one from or associated with. The name is thought to have Norman roots and can be traced back to medieval England.
Origins and History
The Pottinger surname is of toponymic origin, derived from the place name "Pott," meaning "pit" or "hollow," and the suffix "-ing" denoting "son of," giving rise to the meaning "son of the one who lives in or near a pit or hollow." The name likely originated in southern England, where the landscape is dotted with valleys and depressions.
Records show that the earliest known recordings of the Pottinger surname date back to the 16th century in England. The name has also been found in Scotland, particularly in the Ayrshire region. Over the centuries, families bearing the Pottinger surname have spread to various parts of the United Kingdom and overseas.
Notable Individuals
The Pottinger surname has been carried by numerous individuals who have made contributions in various fields. One notable figure is Sir Henry Pottinger (1789–1856), a British colonial administrator and diplomat remembered for his service in Asia during the 19th century. He played a significant role in the First Opium War and later served as Governor of Hong Kong.
Modern Distribution
Today, the Pottinger surname is relatively rare, with concentrations found primarily in the United Kingdom and its former colonies. Variants of the name may also exist due to Anglicisation or regional accents.
References
- Reaney, P.H., & Wilson, R.M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Hanks, P., & Hodges, F. (1988). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 1,548 people named Pottinger in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,229th most common surname in Britain. Around 24 in a million people in Britain are named Pottinger.
Surname type: Occupational name
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
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Keith
- Mark
- Michael
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Laura
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
- Yvonne