Surname Pooe - Meaning and Origin
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Pooe: What does the surname Pooe mean?
The surname Pooe doesn't appear to have a specific meaning that is widely recognized or documented in surname databases. It's also possible that it may have been altered or misspelled over time. It could be of African origin, specifically southern African or Sotho, judging by its use among individuals in South Africa. However, confirming its cultural origin or meaning is challenging due to limited information. Surnames can denote various things such as occupation, geographical location, a personal characteristic, or lineage. Understanding the exact meaning would require a thorough genealogical study or specific cultural knowledge. Despite the uncertainty of its meaning, like all surnames, it is unique to the holder's family lineage and history. Anyone carrying this last name shares a familial bond and common ancestors. It's always exciting to delve into one's family history to understand more about one's name and its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisPooe: Where does the name Pooe come from?
The last name Pooe is most commonly found in South Africa, specifically among the Xhosa-speaking people of the Eastern Cape. The tribal name is connected to the clan of the Mpondo people, distinguished by their legitimate authority to control regional politics and resources in the country.
The common origin of the name dates back to a Xhosa chief with the name Mnguni, who established the chieftainship of the Mpondo people in the late 1600s. After some time, one of Mnguni’s descendants — Pooe — was selected by the elders to be the new tribal chief. As such, this person’s name became the tribal name of the Mpondo people, which translated to “Pooe” in English.
From there, the name was passed down from generation to generation. Many people today with the last name Pooe are direct descendants (or close connections) to the original chieftaincy.
The bloodline of the Pooes also extended to more than just South Africa. In the 1700s, some Scottish settlers married into the family and introduced the name Pooe to Scotland and England. Today, the last name is frequently found in those countries, as well as in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Pooe
The surname Pooe is believed to be an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó póid, which is derived from the Irish surname Ó póist. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Póid, Poide, Pow, Powe, Powes and Poyse.
The Ó póid surname is patronymic in nature and is derived from the Irish personal name Póist, which is from the Old Irish name Páist. This Old Irish name underwent a process of anglicization over the centuries, eventually becoming Pooe or Powe. It is a common surname in both Ireland and Scotland.
In Ireland, the anglicized form of the surname Ó póid became O'Pooe, and in some cases, simply Pooe. Variations of the name in other parts of Great Britain, such as England and Scotland, include Pow, Powes and Poyse. In Scotland, it is also found spelled as Poide.
The name Pooe is related to the words “pócaí” and “poc” in Irish Gaelic, both of which mean “pocket”, suggesting that the original bearer of this name may have been a money lender or other type of financial specialist.
In North America, the name has been anglicized to appear as Pooh or Poole, and in Australia, it sometimes appears as Poos. As the various spelling variations of the name suggest, it is likely that any individual with the surname also has a version of it somewhere else in the world.
Famous people with the name Pooe
- Booi Pooe: South African cricket player, former Union of South African cricketer and active member of the ICC World Cricket Hall of Fame.
- Divan Pooe: South African international professional rugby player who has been in the Blue Bulls team and the Pumas since 2007.
- Thanduxolo Pooe: South African Kwaito and House vocalist and producer.
- Siyabonga Pooe: South African musician part of the multi-award winning gospel group Joyous Celebration.
- Linda Pooe: South African singer and songwriter.
- Zola Pooe: South African MC who has repeatedly been named one of the leading African MC's by the Johannesburg Times.
- Tebogo Pooe: South African actress known for her roles in films such as Getting Lucky and Mrs Right Guy.
- Daveyton Pooe: South African parkour athlete and record holder for the continent's fastest wall run.
- Linda Pooe-Mahlangu: South African entrepreneur, financial theorist and distinguished banker.
- Sipho Maseko “Jazz” Pooe: South African poet and journalist who was an influential figure in the struggle against Apartheid.