Pottinger is an English occupational surname with two possible derivations. It may have originated as a name for an apothecary, from the Old French potecaire meaning 'apothecary', or for a seller of stew or broth, from Old French potagier, a maker or seller of pottage (a thick soup or stew).
The surname is first recorded in the 13th century in England, where it was brought by Norman settlers. Early bearers include William le Potagier (1278) in the Assize Rolls of Northumberland, and John Pottynger (1332) in the Norfolk Subsidy Rolls.
Notable Bearers
A distinguished bearer is Sir Eldred Pottinger (1811–1843), a British army officer known for his role in the First Anglo-Afghan War, where he organized the defense of Herat against Persian forces. Another notable figure is Henry Pottinger (1789–1856), a British colonial administrator who served as the first Governor of Hong Kong and negotiated the Treaty of Nanking ending the First Opium War. In the legal world, Henry Pottinger Hardy (1904–1969) was a prominent British psychiatrist and poet.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Pottinger is the 22,183rd most common surname in the United States, with 1,164 bearers. The name is most prevalent among White individuals (48.71%) and Black or African American individuals (43.81%).
- Meaning: Apothecary or seller of stew
- Origin: English, from Old French
- Type: Occupational surname
- Regions: England, United States, and other English-speaking countries
Sources: Wiktionary — Pottinger