Whoa very cool! ^
So that prompted me to look up the meaning of my last name:
Since 1172 and the Anglo/Norman invasion of Ireland, the family name of Powers has been synonymous with the history of the country and its people. The first record of the name Powers was found in Devonshire where the family was granted lands by Duke William of Normandy for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. The name is found on a tablet at Battle Abbey listing prominent survivors of the battle of Hastings. ("Our Heritage: a Record of Information about the Hynes, Waite, Powers, Chenault, Maxey, Brewster, Starr and McIntosh Families," by Lee Powers Hynes, 1957, p. 59)
This now Irish family emerged as a distinguished group in Devon where they were recorded as a family seated as Lords of the manor and estates. Bartholomew De La Poher was granted lands in Devon and was Lord of Blackborough and father of Robert Poher who accompanied Strongbow in the Irish invasion in 1172. They were granted the county of Waterford by Strongbow and became active in the Government of both Waterford and the whole of Ireland.
The Powers family became the Barons Donhill, Viscounts Balentin, and the Earls of Tyrone. Their seats were at Kilmeadon, and they also branched to Kilbolande and Rosskean in county Cork. This branch became the Barons Power. Other branches in Waterford included Gurteen, Lapoer, Clashmore, and Gardenmorres. The original settler Robert was killed in 1178 in South Kildare but his many sons and grandchildren established a name which would eventually become as Irish as the natives of the land.
The recorded Powers surname has been listed as Power, Poer, Poher, and Powers and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. One thing can be sure, however, all of these Powers families originated from the same scion. (
more here )
Nice history lesson for the day Mr. Bradley thanks
