Surname Poe - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Gaelic Origins and Historical Significance of My Poe Surname via iGENEA DNA Test
My iGENEA DNA test has given me a deep insight into the roots and branches of my Poe surname. Rowing the boat upstream through the currents of history, the Poe name intertwines with Gaelic lineage, cultural significance, and historical migrations, solidifying my place in an intricately knitted tapestry of human history.
Y. Poe
read morePoe: What does the surname Poe mean?
The surname Poe has an Anglo-Saxon origin and it is derived from the Old English word "pá", which means "peacock". This was likely used as a nickname in the Medieval times for a proud or flashy person, illustrating the display habits of a male peacock, or it could be an occupational name for a hunter of peacocks. However, the name could also have originated from the Gaelic name 'Ó Poaig', which means ‘descendant of Poaig’. It can also be found all across Europe under different variations due to migration and intermarrying amongst the European countries. Poe is a fairly common surname and is well-recognized largely due to the famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe known for his macabre and horror stories. Despite his notoriety, the specific origin of Edgar Allan Poe's surname is undetermined although there are suggestions it may have been Norman.
Order DNA origin analysisPoe: Where does the name Poe come from?
The last name Poe is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southeastern states. Poe is an especially popular last name in states such as Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. It can also be found in other parts of the country, such as California, New York, Georgia, and Florida.
Poe is considered to be a patronymic surname, which refers to a last name derived from the father's given name. According to family history websites, the Poe surname is of Scottish and German origin. It is derived from the personal name of Paul or Pohle, which is of Old Norse origin and means "little".
In the United States, the surname Poe is associated with the famous author and poet, Edgar Allan Poe. He was born in Boston in 1809 and is widely considered one of the most influential figures in American literature. Poe's works are known for their gothic, macabre, and suspenseful themes.
The Poe surname is also linked to the poet's grandfather, a British army officer who emigrated to the United States in 1775. In addition, other notable people with the last name Poe include biographer Harry Lee Poe, poet and publisher Harry Hayden Poe, popular musician Donny Poe, and actor John Doe Poe.
Variations of the surname Poe
Poe is a surname that stems from the French & German word for "the valley". Variants include Po, Poh, Pooh, Pohe and Pou. Poh and Pooh appear to be German or Dutch variants of Poe, while Po is a French variation.
Spellings of the surname Poe vary throughout different parts of the world and through generations. It is spelled Pöe, Pôe, Poeh, and Pohe, as well as Pö, Poeh, and Pooh in some cases. In addition, there are variants like Phoe, Pwo, and Poue, depending upon geographical origin and accent.
Various spellings of the surname Poe can be traced back to countries including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, and the United States.
The surname Poe has many associated surnames, such as Power, Powers, Poore, Poor, Poers, Puis, and Puissant. These names are derived from a similar etymological root as Poe, and some may have originated from the same family line.
Use of the suffix “-s” or “-z” can also be seen in some cases, as in Poese and Pozes, indicating either a Polish or German family origin. In this case, Poe serves as an intermediary surname between Poese and Pozes.
The many variants and spellings of the surname Poe represent its evolution through time, and these words remain connected by a common etymological root.
Famous people with the name Poe
- Edgar Allan Poe: American author, poet, editor and literary critic most known for his seminal work in Gothic horror and his pioneering detective fiction stories.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald: American novelist and short story writer most famous for his novel The Great Gatsby.
- Harry Houdini: Famous legendary magician and escapologist who pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible and revolutionized the art.
- Nathan Poe: American meteorologist known as the first person to accurately predict a hurricane in 1846.
- Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette: Revolutionary War hero and close friend of George Washington who helped secure America's freedom.
- Alan Poe: American writer, poet, screenwriter, actor, and film producer.
- Earl Poe: American musician, producer, composer and member of the band Poco.
- Carolyn Poe: American musician, singer-songwriter, and founding member of the southern rock band The Embers.
- Juliet O'Hara: Crime analyst and a main character in the television series Psych.
- Edgar Poe Jr.: American actor and grandson of Edgar Allan Poe.