Polkinghorne? That's a funny name, isn't it?

If I had a pound for every time........ :-) Yes it is unusual. The name originates from Cornwall to the South West of England.

My Dad, Ian, has been researching the Family Tree for a good few years now, and he's managed to get back as far as 1299 and a Gentleman by the name of Roger De Polkinghorne. Since the advent of the internet, things have moved on quite considerably and we've discovered many more Polkinghorne's (of various spellings) all over the world.

The Australian connection is a branch we're exploring at the moment. There are Polkinghornes all over the place down there, but none of you seem to be aware of the others! Clive and Wendy Polkinghorne are doing a lot of work on the Australian side of things. There are two superb web sites you can visit, courtesy of the above mentioned, and you may just find something there to tie you into the tree.

You can find their sites from the following links:

Clive and Wendy

Dad has a site here.

Even if you can't find anything concrete, it'll be worthwhile dropping them a line.

The family tree online (most of it, anyway) is here.

Cornwall Censuses can be found here or there's the Free Census project. It's a good tactic to play around with the surname (drop the g, the e and then both) if your initial search shows nothing.

Crest: An arm in armour, embowed, holding a Battleaxe proper.


Unfortunately the Polkinghorne Crest can no longer be "properly" used as the lineage descends only through the eldest son.

From "Burke's Peerage" and the "Visitation of Cornwall" Mary Polkinghorne married c. 1500 Williams, who took the name and arms of Polkinghorne. Also, Otho Polkinghorne's daughter and heir, Mary, married Thomas Glynn. Thus the line is broken twice. 

This page last updated 27th May 2008