Pound Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

The surname "Pound" has English origins and is derived from the Middle English word "pound" or "pund". It has multiple meanings and possibilities for its origin. Some of the common interpretations of the surname include:
1. Occupational: Pound could have been an occupational name for someone who worked at a "pound," which refers to a place where stray animals were impounded or a unit of weight or currency.
2. Topographical: It could be a topographic name for someone who lived by a "pound," which could be a pen or enclosure, usually for animals.
3. Metonymic: Pound could have originally been a metonymic occupational name for a trader or merchant who dealt in pounds sterling or weight.
Regarding the family history, the surname Pound is believed to have been first found in the southwestern area of England, particularly in Devon and Cornwall. Over time, the name has spread to various other regions. The family history of the surname Pound would depend on the specific lineage and its branches. Surname origins, migrations, and specific family histories can vary greatly based on individual family lines and their respective historical records. Therefore, tracing your own family history or consulting specific genealogical sources related to your family would provide a more accurate and detailed account of your family's specific history.

1. The surname Pound is of English origin, and is derived from the Old English word "pund" or "pound," which means "enclosure" or "pen."
2. The name is thought to have originated as a topographic or locational surname, referring to someone who lived near an enclosed area or a pound for livestock.
3. It is also possible that the surname Pound was used as an occupational name for someone who worked as a pound-keeper, responsible for rounding up stray animals and placing them in the pound.
4. The surname Pound can be found in various forms, including Punds, Powne, and Punder. These variations may have arisen over time due to regional dialects or accents.
5. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname Pound dates back to the 13th century, with Walter le Punde being mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Hampshire in 1248.
6. Famous individuals with the surname Pound include the American poet Ezra Pound (1885-1972) and British economist and Nobel laureate R. W. Pound (1872-1964).
7. The Pound family name has spread beyond the United Kingdom and can be found in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
8. The surname Pound has no direct association with the unit of currency, the pound, which originated from a Latin word "libra," meaning "scale" or "balance." However, it is possible that some individuals with the surname Pound may have adopted the name as a pun related to their wealth or occupation.
9. The Pound surname has a low frequency of occurrence in comparison to more common surnames. According to surname distribution data, there are approximately 3,000 individuals with the surname Pound living in the United States.
10. The Coat of Arms associated with the Pound surname depicts three silver lions rampant on a red shield. This heraldic design symbolizes courage, strength, and majesty.

The Pound family is from the United Kingdom.

1. Ezra Pound - American modernist poet and critic.
2. Roscoe Pound - American legal scholar and educator.
3. Louise Pound - American professor of English and folklore.
4. Dorothy Pound - American academic and wife of Ezra Pound.
5. Dean Pound - American football player.
6. Whitney Pound - Canadian ice hockey player.
7. Natalie Pound - American social media influencer and fitness model.
8. Carleton B. Pound - American physicist and Nobel laureate.
9. Orval H. Pound - American politician and lawyer.
10. Molly Pound - British Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics.