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ORIGIN OF NAME Surnames were introduced in the early Middle Ages. This was to distinguish between persons with the same given name. The name, in general, described the persons trade, place of residence, or some personal characteristic and was hereditary.
Polkinghorne is derived from the place name Polkinghorne in Gwinear, Cornwall, England. "From this place were denominated an old family of gentlemen surnamed Polkinghorne" Quoted by M..A. Lower, Patronymica Britannica) In Cornish "Pol" means Pool, Pit, Pond, Inlet, etc. The "kinghorn" part is from the Cornish "Kynhorn" which translates into English as "Iron Chief" so the name translates as "The Pool of the Iron Chief"
This is the place where the first Steam Engine was invented to pump water out of the mines and was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, nowadays it is one of the most popular places for Holidays/Vacations in Britain.