What Is In a Name Frequently the symbols on a coat of arms depict the actual meaning of the family name. Poindexter began as a surname in France in the 12th century, meaning ‘right fist’ and was perhaps given to a dweller who lived beneath a sign of a clenched first. This original meaning obviously never changed for the Poindexter’s since this symbol was embellished on the family shield when the coat of arms was conferred. Most descriptive surnames developed from some peculiarity of appearance, character or habit of an individual. The descriptive name of Poindexter indicated the ability to protect oneself or a symbol of a brave man. In the French language, ‘poing’ means to shake a fist. It is interesting to note that a former French president bore the name of Poincare, a name similar to that of Poindexter, meaning ‘square first,’ an honest sort of weapon. The Poindexter name is also associated with the study of heraldry. Poyndexter, Pointdexter and Poingdestre were all heraldic terms referring to one of the nine chief local points of a divided shield. Because of the close proximity of one country to the other, there is a great similarity between French and English names and most of the important French names can be found in England. One of the early Poindexter’s mentioned in English history was John Poyndexter who suffered under a tyrannical clergy. He was a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, and dispossessed of his living in 1642 after being held in criticism by the church. The colors of blue and gold are interchanged on the Poindexter coat of arms. The upper half of the shield is gold with the raised fist. The lower half is a blue background with a yelloe mullet or five–pointed star. My Lineage From The Sixtenth Century George Poingdestre Died November 11, 1544 He married Girette Ahier, daughter of Louis Ahier. My 12th Great Grandfather Jean Poingdestre 1505 - 1583 He married Marie Hamptonne. My 11th Great Grandfather Edouard Poingdestre Born 1538 - Died August 1622 He married Marguerite Messervy, daughter of Clement Messervy and Catherine Lempri'ere. My 10th Great Grandfather Thomas Poingdestre Born December 20, 1669 He married Elizabeth Effard on December 14, 1614 My 9th Great Grandfather George Poingdestre 1627 - 1691/2 My 8th Great Grandfather Front View-Criss Cross   Side View-Criss Cross Information on George can be found here. George Poindexter 1650 - 1738 My 7th Great Grandfather Thomas Poindexter 1675/77 - Before 1707 My 6th Great Grandfather Information on Thomas can be found here. John Poindexter 1703 - 1753 My 5th Great Grandfather Information on John can be found here. Captain Joseph Poindexter 1736 - 1826 My 4th Great Grandfather Locust Grove Information on Captain Joe can be found here. Samuel Jacob Poindexter 1767 - 1841 My 3rd Great Grandfather The Cedars Information on Samuel can be found here. Willis Garth Poindexter 1804 - 1869 My Great Great Grandfather Willis's Gravesite Information on Willis can be found here. Edward Carter Poindexter 1851 - 1914 My Great Grandfather Information on Edward can be found here. The Story of 'The Loom' Eskar Otmer Poindexter 1894 - 1976 My Grandfather Information on Eskar can be found here. John Howard Poindexter 1919 - 1981 My Father Family Album Return to The Homepage E-mail Stories Or Just To Say Hello!