Pondal

Pondal is a surname of Galician origin. It is most prominently associated with Eduardo Pondal, a Galician poet and a central figure in the Rexurdimento, the revival of the Galician language and literature. Pondal's poetry drew on Galicia's landscape and traditions, and his collection Queixumes da Terra is regarded as an important work in the Galician literary canon, influencing later generations of writers and nationalist thought.

The name is used for various toponyms and institutions in Galicia, often in honor of the poet. Streets, schools, cultural centers, and commemorative plaques bearing the Pondal name reflect the cultural and historical significance of Eduardo Pondal in the region. As a surname, Pondal can also occur among people of Galician descent in other parts of Spain and in Latin America, reflecting migration and familial ties rather than a geography-specific origin.

In addition to Eduardo Pondal, there may be other individuals with the surname in historical or contemporary records, but they are less widely documented. The term Pondal can therefore refer to a family name or, in a Galician cultural context, to a symbol of regional literary heritage.