Power is the most Waterford of all Irish surnames — and one of the most quietly aristocratic. The family arrived as the Norman le Poer in the 1170s, took the Déise country as their own, and held baronies there for eight centuries; to this day, Power is more concentrated in Waterford than almost any surname is in any Irish county. If you're shopping for a Power, here's our guide to heritage gifts that match the name's standing.
Eight Centuries in the Déise
The Power name comes from the Norman le Poer, a family who landed with the invasion and rooted so deeply in Waterford that the barony of Powerscourt and the great house of the same name still carry it. Like the best Norman families, they became thoroughly Irish — and the name later travelled the world, from Tyrone Power of Hollywood to the whiskey that bears the family name. The full story is in our Power surname history — ideal reading before you write the card.
The Power Tartan Blanket — The Centerpiece Gift
The heart of the collection: the Power family crest displayed on the Irish national tartan in a soft, generous blanket made for the back of the couch — the piece that turns a living room into the family seat.
Who it suits: parents and grandparents, a Power wedding couple, or the relative tracing the line back to the Déise — eight hundred years in one county makes the card write itself.
The Power Mug — Everyday Heritage
For birthdays, stockings, and smaller occasions, the Power family crest mug carries the same Norman-Irish lineage at an everyday price — and yes, every Power eventually makes the "power breakfast" joke. Let them.
More Ways to Give the Power Name
The same Power crest design carries across the range:
- Garden flags — the House of Power flag flies the crest on the Irish national tartan; a housewarming standout.
- Wall pennants — the crest for the office, den, or dorm.
- Ornaments — small, meaningful, and back on the tree every December.
Matching the Gift to the Occasion
Christmas: the blanket as the centerpiece; ornaments and the pennant for the wider list. Father's Day & Mother's Day: a crest gift honours the parent who handed the name down. Weddings: the tartan blanket for a new Power household. Housewarmings: the House of Power garden flag — it was made for this. Sympathy: a quiet, respectful way to honour a Power who has passed.
Put the Story in the Card
From le Poer knights to eight centuries in one county — the lines are in the Power surname history. If the family tree runs through the Déise, the Walsh and Foley histories cover Waterford's two other great names — the Powers' neighbours since the Middle Ages.
Power Gift FAQ
What is the best gift for someone named Power?
The Power family crest tartan blanket is the centerpiece of the collection; for everyday gifting, the Power crest mug or ornament carries the same story at a smaller price.
Does the design suit Powers and le Poer spellings?
Yes — Powers is simply the plural-form spelling many emigrant families adopted, and both trace to the same le Poer line. Search either form in our store to compare.
Is a family crest the same as a coat of arms?
Historically arms belonged to individuals rather than whole families — which is why we use the term family crest. Our guide to family crests vs. coats of arms explains the difference.
Can I find gifts for other surnames in my family?
Yes — we cover more than 1,400 Irish surnames. Type any family name into the search bar at the top of the page.
Irish, Scottish, and Welsh names in one family? Explore the full Heritage Trio of collections — search your surname in our store and find a gift for every branch of the tree.
