Powell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Powell

What does the name Powell mean?

The Welsh surname Powell comes from the personal name Hoel or Howell, which were both derived from the Old Welsh name Houel. The surname Powell features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ap-". The original form of the name was ap-Hoel or ap-Howell, but the prefixes have been assimilated into the surname over the course of time.

Early Origins of the Powell family

The surname Powell was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where the name "are descended from Philip ap Howell, whose pedigree is traced to Edwin ap Grono, Lord of Tegaingl, founder of the XIII noble tribe of North Wales and Powys." 1 However other records claim the name came from the Welsh King Hywel Dda"the Good" ap Cadell (c.880- c.950), son of Cadell ap Rhodri, in turn a son of Rhodri the Great.

Early History of the Powell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Powell research. Another 201 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1608, 1624, 1628, 1630, 1632, 1637, 1641, 1653, 1660, 1673, 1678, 1680, 1688, 1689, 1692, 1696, 1721, 1750, 1795, 1798, 1803 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Powell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Powell Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Powell has seen various spelling variations: Powell, Powel and others.

Early Notables of the Powell family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Thomas Powell (c.1608-1660), a Welsh cleric and writer from Cantref, Breconshire
Sir William Powell, 1st Baronet (c. 1624-1680), born William Hinson, an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1660
William Powell (d. 1637), was an esquire of Castle Madoc
Sir John Powell (c. 1632-1696), a Welsh judge of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Court of King's Bench
he presided over the trial of the Seven Bishops in 1688. From the Powells of Brandlesome Hall, Lancashire was Henry-Folliot Powell (1803-1834). They are said to descend from a Walter Powell, seated du...

Powell World Ranking

In the United Kingdom, the name Powell is the 81^st most popular surname with an estimated 55,751 people with that name. 2 However, in Australia, the name Powell is ranked the 137^th most popular surname with an estimated 20,284 people with that name. 3 And in New Zealand, the name Powell is the 185^th popular surname with an estimated 2,970 people with that name. 4 Canada ranks Powell as 354^th with 12,854 people. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Powell as 139^th with 272 people. 6 The United States ranks Powell as 85^th with 231,291 people. 7

Migration of the Powell family to Ireland

Some of the Powell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Powell migration to Australia +

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

Powell Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Hannah Powell, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Miss Mary Powell, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8

Powell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Powell, British Convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Joseph Powell, British convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Miss Ann Powell, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Miss Mary Powell, English convict who was convicted in Reading, Berkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Isaac Powell, British Convict who was convicted in Monmouthshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell 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:

Powell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Powell, aged 32, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Benjamin Powell, aged 38, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
Elizabeth Powell, aged 38, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
Griffith Powell, aged 13, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
Catherine Powell, aged 8, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell 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. 13

Powell Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Miss Mary Powell, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 14
Mr. Richard Powell, (b. 1603), aged 32, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 15
Mr. Will Powell, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 15
Mr. Thomas Powell, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 16
Mr. Thomas Powell, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Powell Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Nicholas Powell, settled in Carbonear in 1641

Powell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. William Powell U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 205 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 17
Mr. Lewis Powell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 17
Mr. Abrahm Powell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 17
Mr. Caleb Powell U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 17
Capt. John Powell U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1785 he served in the Indian Department, married with 3 children 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Robin Powell, in Tickle Cove, Newfoundland in 1825 18
Ephraim Powell, who landed in Canada in 1841
Mr. John Powell, aged 28 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing from the port of Virginius, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 19
Mrs. Mary Powell, aged 32 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Avon" departing from the port of Avon, Cork but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 19
Mrs. Bridget Powell, aged 27 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing 28th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 12th August 1847 but she died on board 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Powell Settlers in United States in the 16th Century

Edward Powell, who settled in Virginia in 1587

Powell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Capt. Nathaniell Powell, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607
John Powell, aged 29, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1607 aboard the ship "Swallow" 21
Mr. Thomas Powell, cook, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610.
Thomas Powell, who settled in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Sampson"
Mr. Thomas Powell, who arrived in Virgnia in 1619 aboard the ship "Seaflower" 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Powell, who landed in Virginia in 1701 21
Francis Powell, who landed in Virginia in 1701 21
Jean Powell, who landed in Virginia in 1714 21
Anthony Powell, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 21

Powell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

David N Powell, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1812 21
Evan Powell, aged 21, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 21
Isaac Powell, who arrived in New York in 1824 21
Miss Elizabeth Powell, aged 11, British settler who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
Mr. Henry Powell, aged 55, British labourer who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Powell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Samuel Powell, (b. 1874), aged 26, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York, USA on 29th January 1900 en route to Michigan, USA 23
Miss Emma Powell, (b. 1845), aged 58, Cornish housekeepter from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York, USA on 2nd August 1903 en route to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 23
Mr. Joseph J Powell, (b. 1879), aged 26, Cornish blacksmith from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York, USA in 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 23

Contemporary Notables of the name Powell (post 1700) +

William Rhys Powell (1948-2022), Welsh Conservative politician and barrister from Crickhowell, Wales, Member of Parliament for Corby from 1983 to 1997
Dwight Gregory Powell OC AOE FRCPC (1947-2025), Canadian emergency medicine physician specialist and a professor of family medicine and emergency medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Calgary, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS), a helicopter-based emergency transport service in Alberta and British Columbia
Alice Mendham Powell (1903-1984), Americana educator, college professor, and school founder
Alma Vivian Powell (1937-2024), née Johnson, an American audiologist and the wife of military and political figure Colin Powell
Tristram Roger Dymoke Powell (1940-2024), English television and film director, producer and screenwriter born in Oxford
Milton Powell (1977-2023), better known by his stage name Big Pokey, an American rapper from Houston, Texas
Cincinnatus "Cincy" Powell (1942-2023), American NBA and ABA professional basketball player from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Glen Thomas Powell Jr. (b. 1988), American actor, known for his roles in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and The Expendables 3 (2014), Hidden Figures (2016), Set It Up (2018), Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Kenneth Lawrence "Ken" Powell (1940-2022), known as The Gentleman Sprinter, an Indian track and field athlete from the state of Karnataka who competed in the 1964 Olympics and the 1970 Asian Games
Julie Powell (1973-2022), née Foster, an American author known for her 2005 book Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen
... (Another 35 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Powell family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Barry C Powell (1960-1985), American First Lieutenant from Madisonville, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 24

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Leonard Amos Goerge Powell (d. 1914), British Assistant Boots from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25

Halifax Explosion

Miss Hilda May Powell (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 26
Mr. Richard E. Powell (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 26

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Lyal Llewellyn Powell (1918-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Newtown, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27

HMS Cornwall

Frederick George Powell (d. 1942), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Powell, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29

HMS Repulse

Mr. John Powell, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking and was evacuated 30

HMS Royal Oak

William Dennis Powell (1921-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31
Arthur Powell (d. 1939), British Commissioned Gunner (T) with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Samuel Powell (b. 1865), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 32
Mr. Henry Powell (b. 1864), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 32
Mr. Powell, Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 32

RMS Lusitania

Mr. George A. Powell, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 33
Mr. Edward Powell, English Trimmer from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 33

USS Arizona

Mr. Jack Speed Powell, American Private First Class from California, 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 34
Mr. Thomas George Powell, American Seaman First Class from Illinois, 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 34

USS Indianapolis

Howard Wayne Powell, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 35

The Powell 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: Edrych i fynw
Motto Translation: Looking Up.

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
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Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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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)
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