Surname Poncy - Meaning and Origin

Poncy: What does the surname Poncy mean?

The surname Poncy is of French origin and was first found in Languedoc, a former province in south-eastern France. Its meaning is not clear-cut, however, one speculation suggests the derivation of Poncy from a nickname for someone who put on airs or exhibited pretentious behavior, as 'poncey' or 'poncy' is a British slang term used to describe something or someone as being affected or pretentious. Another theory proposes that the name could be topographic, related to an inhabitant residing near a certain tree, bridge, or other geographic feature. Additionally, it could also refer to someone from a place called Poncé or Poncy. It must be noted that surname meanings can often be lost to time, and a range of meanings or interpretations can often be associated with surnames, particularly those with foreign or ancient origins.

Poncy: Where does the name Poncy come from?

The last name Poncy is most commonly associated with the United States, where it is most often found in the Midwest region. Primarily, it is associated with the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and found at higher concentrations within cities such as Dayton, Columbus, Chicago and Indianapolis.

The Poncy surname does appear across the globe in areas including Europe, Australia and Canada, though in fewer concentrations. While the name is not especially common, the earliest known origins date back to the area of Arctic Europe before making their way to the North American continent in the early 1600s.

Early settlers with the Poncy surname were farmers, though recent generations have diversified into other professions such as medical, business, construction, engineering and many more.

The Poncy surname is thought to have its origins in France, with records mentioning the dual names of Ponty and Poncy. It is thought to have curved from the name Ponce, which derived from the Latin ‘pontem’ meaning bridge. It was given to those people who lived near a bridge or ford of some kind.

Today, the Poncy surname is not as common as other variations of this historically French name. It is often seen in French Canadien families, normally as an Anglicization of the French language.

In all, the Poncy surname is most commonly associated with the United States but has its origins in France. Early settlers were typically farmers, though more recent generations have diversified away from this as the name has spread across the world.

Variations of the surname Poncy

The surname Poncy is an Old French toponymic surname. It probably originated in the commune of Poncy in Normandy and was derived from the Latin word pondus meaning “weight” or “heft”.

The variant spellings of the surname Poncy include: Poncie, Poncey, Ponceau, Poncieau, Poncet and Poncelet.

Some variants derive from other regional languages and dialects, for example; the French language, with the variants Ponce, Poncé, Poncet, Ponceaux, and Poneau. There are also Italian language variants of the surname, namely Poncio, Ponci, Poncetto, Ponechio, and Ponchio.

The surname Poncy also has some regional variations such as Puncy, Pontcy, and Ponch. It also has some different surnames with the same origin as Poncy, such as Pontes, Ponciet, Pontos, Pontis, and Ponzio.

The variants of Poncy can be traced back to the noble family of Ponci who were based in Genoa, Italy during the 14th century. They were responsible for founding several cities in northern Italy such as Piacenza and Crema. Descendants of the Ponci family eventually moved to France, England, Canada, and the United States.

In France, the surname Poncy is most common in the areas of Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. In the United States, it can be found in several states including New York, California and Texas. In Canada, the surname Poncy is chiefly found in the eastern provinces.

Famous people with the name Poncy

• Justine Poncy: Franco-American actress.
• Claude Poncy: French philosopher of politics.
• Elisa Poncy O’Hanlon: American model and reality TV star.
• Christophe Poncy: French sculptor.
• Pierre Poncy: French Olympic athlete.
• Fred Poncy: American college football player.
• Anthony Poncy: Canadian football player.
• Jacques Poncy: French football player.
• Roger Poncy: French military officer.
• Aude Poncy-Dubois: French artist and illustrator.
• Philippe Poncy: French cyclist.
• Marie-Élise Poncy: French physician and anesthesiologist.
• Fabrice Poncy: French rugby league player.
• Guy Poncy: French Olympic athlete.
• Charles-Eugène Poncy: French composer and organist.
• Raphaëlle Poncy: French Grand Prix artist.

Other surnames

PoncePoncey