Surname Pomeroy - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Ancestral Riches of the Pomeroy Surname through iGENEA DNA Test

This review recounts the enlightening journey brought about by the iGENEA DNA test. Discover the deep-rooted history of the Pomeroy surname while unbundling connections with distant relatives.

F. Pomeroy

Pomeroy: What does the surname Pomeroy mean?

Pomeroy is a surname of Norman origin, derived from the old French "Pommeroie" or "Pommeraie," which translates to "apple orchard." It was a locational name given originally to a person who lived in or near an apple orchard, or who came from a place known for apple orchards such as La Pommeraye, a town in Normandy, France. After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, many Normans, including those with the surname of Pomeroy, settled in Britain and their names became part of the local vernacular. Over time, the spelling was Anglicized, transforming into varieties such as Pomeroy or Pomerai. Today, the surname Pomeroy is found mainly in the UK, Ireland, the United States, and other countries with significant populations of British and Irish descent. The coat of arms for the Pomeroy family features three red apples, reinforcing the name's connection to apple orchards.

Pomeroy: Where does the name Pomeroy come from?

The last name Pomeroy is most commonly found in western Europe. It is especially prevalent in areas that were formerly part of the Norman-ruled lands in the Middle Ages such as parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and France. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the New England region where colonists from these European countries relocated.

The name has spread to other countries including Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The population of people with the last name Pomeroy is highest in the United States, where there are nearly 90,000 people with this surname. Other countries that have large populations of people with this last name are France, Ireland, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

The origin of the name Pomeroy is uncertain, with some suggesting the name is derived from a Gallo-Roman family name Pomarius, and others proposing it comes from an Old French word pommerée, meaning a fruit orchard, or from a Germanic personal name. Regardless of its origin, the last name Pomeroy has gained international recognition as a well-known name.

Variations of the surname Pomeroy

The surname Pomeroy has a variety of possible spellings and variants, each stemming from a different origin. Originally derived from the Old French pomerai (“orchard”), the suffix –eroy has been added as a diminutive form denoting “little orchard”. The original pronunciation of the name was Pom’eroy, with a nasalised ‘m’ and an aspirated ‘r’, but the variant spelling Pomroy is now also present in some families.

In Ireland, the surname is often spelled Pomeroy, Poormaroy, or Poormeroy. This is a ‘double diminutive’ version stemming from the Irish Gaelic ‘pormaire’, meaning ‘apple orchard’. In Scotland, spelling variations include Pomeroye, Primmeroy, Pommaroy, Pomory, Poormerray, and Pumbroe.

Variant spellings for the surname Pomeroy also exists in England, such as the variations Pomroy, Pomeray, Pommeray, Pumroy, Pumgray, Pumbery, and Pumry. In the United States, Pomeroy is often seen as a variant spelling of the name Palmer, and other variant spellings include Pomroy, Bomar, Pummery, and Pumeroy.

Finally, other variant spellings found across Europe and the United States include Parmroy, Persmore, Pomaray, Pomeroye, Pomeroyeux, and Poomeroy.

In conclusion, the surname Pomeroy has a wide variety of spellings and variants depending on its geographic origin and language, with some of the variant spellings of the name created due to incorrect transcriptions or misspellings. The many possible spellings of Pomeroy often necessitate a thorough search of documents when tracing a family history.

Famous people with the name Pomeroy

• Walerian Pomeroy: Polish-American Catholic theologian.
• Diana Pomeroy: British Olympic eventing rider.
• Gary Pomeroy: American film editor and director.
• George Pomeroy: American professional golfer.
• Howard Pomeroy: American television writer and producer.
• Josiah Pomeroy: American musician and producer.
• Kristen Pomeroy: Canadian actor, voice actor, and writer.
• Naomi Pomeroy: American chef and restaurateur.
• Pat Pomeroy: New Zealand rugby union player.
• Tim Pomeroy: American long-distance runner and Paralympic athlete.
• Bill Pomeroy: British politician and Member of Parliament (MP).
• Edward Pomeroy: Member of Parliament for North Northamptonshire from 1604 to 1611.
• David Pomeroy: Receiver-General of Canada in the late 19th century.
• Charles Pomeroy: tabletop game designer and publisher
• Robert Pomeroy: American rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
• Melissa Pomeroy: American commercial director, cinematographer, and photographer.
• Jeff Pomeroy: American drummer, composer, and film score composer.
• Percival Pomeroy: British-American academic who was a professor of Latin at Harvard University.
• David Pomeroy Jr.: American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient.
• Cameron Pomeroy: Canadian playwright and theatre artist.

Other surnames

PomerPomerantzPomery