Pool History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Pool

What does the name Pool mean?

The ancestors of the name Pool date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Pool family lived near a pool of water. 1 The surname Pool belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.

Early Origins of the Pool family

The surname Pool was first found in Dorset at Poole, now a large coastal town and seaport. While today Poole is a large tourist resort, looking back to as early as the Iron Age, this costal town was a major fishing port. The Romans landed at Poole during their conquest of Britain in the 1st century.

Years later, the Vikings in 876 landed; Guthrum sailed his fleet through the harbour to attack Wareham, and in later 1015, Canute began his conquest of England here using it as a base to raid and pillage Wessex. Centuries later in the 16th century, Poole would become a major commercial center for the North American colonies, including the vast fisheries of Newfoundland. Accordingly, many Newfoundlanders trace their lineage through Poole or nearby communities. Another branch was found at Ewelme in Oxfordshire at ancient times.

Another source notes: "the oldest family of this name, Poole of Poole, co. Chester, were lords of that estate from an early period. The name was variously written, in the XIV. century, Pull, Poole, and De la Poole." 2

"William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, who obtained the manor by marriage with Alice, daughter and heiress of Thomas Chaucer, son of Geoffrey Chaucer, the poet, in whose family it had been for many years, erected the present church and a noble mansion, of which latter only some of the outoffices now remain. There are some handsome monuments, one of which, to the memory of the Duchess of Suffolk, who died in 1475, is elaborately embellished; the Chaucer monument, an altar-tomb, is ornamented with numerous shields of armorial bearings, and inlaid with brasses on which are the effigies of a knight and his lady, in the costume of the fifteenth century." 3

"William de la Pole, Earl and Duke of Suffolk, the redoubted warrior of the martial times of Henry V. and Henry VI., was derived from the Norman De la Pole. From the same origin also sprang the De la Poles of Staffordshire, the parent stock of the Poles of Radborne, co. Derby, and the Poles, Barons Montagu, illustrious for having given birth to Cardinal Pole, Archbishop of Canterbury, the most eminent prelate of his age, one of the three presidents of the Council of Trent." 4

Again in Radbourn (Radborne) in Derbyshire: "On the death of Sir John Chandos, the celebrated warrior, in 1370, the estate passed to his representatives in the female line, and eventually to Sir Peter de la Pole, from whom the manor has descended to its present owner, Edward Sacheverel Chandos Pole, Esq. Radbourn Hall, a large brick mansion of modern date, the seat of the Pole family, stands on an eminence in a well-wooded park, commanding extensive views in all directions." 3

Somerset was an early point of importance to the family for it is there that we find: Boniface atte Poule; Stephen atte Poule; and Philip atte Poule all recorded 1 Edward III (in the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one early entry, that of Walter de la Pulle, Oxfordshire and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 similarly had only one: Johanna de Pulle. 6

In Scotland, the name is "perhaps local, from residence by a pool. William del Pol of Donde granted a charter, 1321. William, Adam, and Mathew Pule appear in 1624, and John Puill was merchant burgess of Dumfries, 1638." 7

Early History of the Pool family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pool research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1330, 1361, 1366, 1389, 1415, 1448, 1462, 1473, 1500, 1505, 1541, 1558, 1564, 1566, 1597, 1601, 1603, 1612, 1614, 1617, 1621, 1624, 1626, 1629, 1632, 1640, 1648, 1661, 1673 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Pool History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pool Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Pool are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Pool include: Pool, Pooley, Poole, Pole, Pull and others.

Early Notables of the Pool family

Notables of the family at this time include

Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk (1330?-1389), Lord Chancellor, son of Sir William de la Pole (d. 1366); and his son, Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk (1361-1415), eldest son of Michael de l...
Sir Neville Poole (died 1661), was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1614 and 1648; Sir Edward Poole (1617-1673), was an English politician who sat in the House o...

Pool Ranking

In the United States, the name Pool is the 1,990^th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 8 However, in Netherlands, the name Pool is ranked the 620^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,920 people with that name. 9

Migration of the Pool family to Ireland

Some of the Pool family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pool migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Pool or a variant listed above:

Pool Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Pool, who settled in New England in 1649
George Pool, who settled in Virginia in 1650
David Pool, who landed in Virginia in 1655 10

Pool Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Ambrose Pool, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 10
Philip Pool, who arrived in South Carolina in 1744 10
Jonas Pool, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1752 10

Pool Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edmond Pool, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
Charles Pool, who landed in New York, NY in 1829 10
Beverley Pool, who arrived in Texas in 1835 10
Walter T Pool, who arrived in Texas in 1835 10
Henry Pool, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pool migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pool Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ann Pool, aged 3, who landed in Quebec in 1834
James Pool, aged 10, who landed in Quebec in 1834
Jane Pool, aged 1, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
John Pool, aged 35, who landed in Quebec in 1834
Mathew Pool, aged 5, who landed in Quebec in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pool migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pool Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Pool, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
John Pool, English convict from Staffordshire, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
Mr. William Pool, Jr., English convict who was convicted in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 27th May 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Mr. Nathan Pool, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 8th July 1840, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. William Pool, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 12th March 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pool migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Pool Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Pool, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 16
Jane Pool, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Countess of Kintore" in 1871

Pool migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Pool Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Jeremiah and Sylvester Pool, who settled in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Pool (post 1700) +

Bob Pool (1944-2024), American journalist, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times from 1983 to 2014
Walter Freshwater Pool (1850-1883), American politician, United States Representative from North Carolina
Solomon Pool (1832-1901), American academic, 4th President of the University of North Carolina (1869-1872)
Robert Roy Pool (b. 1953), American screenwriter, best known for his work on Outbreak (1995) and The Big Town (1987)
Maria Louise Pool (1841-1898), American writer, best known for her book A Vacation in a Buggy
Jonathan Pool (b. 1942), American political scientist from Chicago
John Pool (1826-1884), American politician, U.S. Senator from North Carolina (1868-1873)
David de Sola Pool (1885-1970), American rabbi and writer
Judith Graham Pool (1919-1975), American scientist who discovered cryoprecipitation
Joe Richard Pool (1911-1968), American politician, U.S. Representative from Texas
... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Pool family +

HMS Repulse

Mr. Richard Pool, British Lieutenant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 18
Mr. Pool, British Lieutenant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 18

USS Arizona

Mr. Elmer Leo Pool, American Seaman First Class from Indiana, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 19

The Pool Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pollet virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue excels.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th December 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html