What the historical record says
Power, in Irish de Paor, is one of the great Anglo-Norman surnames of Ireland. It comes from the Old French le poer, "the poor man," originally an epithet for one who had taken a vow of poverty. The family arrived with the Norman invasion of the late 12th century and were granted extensive lands in County Waterford, becoming one of the leading houses of the south-east and in time wholly Gaelicised. Power remains strongly concentrated in Waterford and its neighbours.
Recorded Gaelic root: de Paor (Norman le Poer)
Strongest county signals
- Clareprocessed surname/place signal
- Waterfordprocessed surname/place signal
What this evidence can—and cannot—prove
Census clustering can show where a surname appeared strongly at a historical point in time. It cannot identify your exact ancestor, prove a clan relationship, or assign a coat of arms. Use it as a source-backed starting point alongside family records and parish research.