Thanks for this reply. I should have explained more. The notion is that in Somerset, due to vagaries of pronunciation, including a tendency to vocalize the "s" so it's sounded as "z", Poyntz (variously spelled) mutated to "Pound" or the converse. (The idea is not original with me.) That's why I'm looking for a paper trail, since DNA is no help here. Ideally, I would like to find a property record (there won't be birth and marriage records this early) in which both names occur. One possibility is certainly that a man named Pounds married a woman named Poyntz and took her family name. From your reply, I'm guessing you've not come across any such record, but please watch for it! I have come across a named spelled "Poynes," which is almost there. Devon records show Edward Poynes, widower, and Mrs. Ellonar Landon, widow, married 1656 at Hanton Puncharddon, Barnstaple, Devon. "Landon" is a variant of "Langton," some of whom share with the Somerset Poyntzes and myself the rare 9-9 value at the 459 marker.
Best regards, Wayne
