Potter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Potter arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a maker of clay or metal storage vessels [1] which was in turn derived from the Latin word potus,meaning to drink. While this is the traditional understanding of the word, another reference states: “the term meant an apothecary or druggist.” [2]

Early Origins of the Potter family

The surname Potter was first found in various shires and counties throughout Britain. Search for the earliest record of the name revealed Seuard le potter who was listed in 1172 in Lincolnshire. A few years later, Geoffrey Poter was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essexin 1196 and John le Potier was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1197. Lambert le Pottur was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1214. [1]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Michael le Potere and John le Pottere in London, and Ranulph le Potter in Essex. [3]

Secuard le Potter who appears in the Transcripts of the Charters relating to the Gilbertine Houses of Lincolnshire in 1172 and Geoffrey Poter is recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of Leicestershire in 1196. John le Potier is listed in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1197 and Lambert le Pottur appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1214. Michael le Potere and John le Pottere are both recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of London in 1273. [1]

The Pootter variant is fairly common in America as Robert Pootter is recorded in the Omitted Chapters of Hotten’s, “Original List of Persons of Quality and Others Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations 1600-1700” and served with Colonel Bayley’s Company of Regiment of Foot in 1679-80. Later shipping records include one Stephen Pooter who emigrated from England to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania in 1859.

Early History of the Potter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Potter research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1557, 1577, 1642, 1591, 1646, 1592, 1664, 1594, 1678, 1614, 1661, 1674, 1747, 1656, 1656 and are included under the topic Early Potter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Potter Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Potter, Pottar, Poter and others.

Early Notables of the Potter family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Barnaby Potter (1577-1642), English provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, and bishop of Carlisle, was born at Kendal, Westmorland. He was the son of Thomas Potter, a mercer and alderman of Highgate Kendal. Christopher Potter (1591-1646), was also provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, born in Westmorland. He was the nephew of Barnaby Potter. Hannibal Potter (1592-1664), was an English clergyman and college head in Oxford during the First English Civil War; Francis Potter (1594-1678), was an English clergyman, Biblical commentator, and experimentalist, an early… 
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Potter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Potter World Ranking

In the United States, the name Potter is the 376^th most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. [4] However, in Canada, the name Potter is ranked the 668^thmost popular surname with an estimated 7,830 people with that name. [5] And in France, the name Potter is the 9,574^th popular surname with an estimated 500 – 1,000 people with that name. [6] Australia ranks Potter as 312^nd with 11,399 people. [7] New Zealand ranks Potter as 330^th with 1,900 people. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Potter as 225^th with 25,912 people. [9]

 Migration of the Potter family to Ireland

Some of the Potter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Potter migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Potter or a variant listed above.