The history of the Poyntzpass area up until about 1900, the era of the break-up of the large estates, was largely determined by the families that owned those estates over the preceding centuries. They were:
- The Poyntz family, after whom the village is named
- Their successors, the Stewart family
- The Hannas, who owned the village for a few decades
- The Moores of Drumbanager
- The Close family, starting with Col Maxwell Close, who bought both the Acton and Drumbanagher estates around 1820
- The Fiveys of Loughadian
- The Inneses of Dromantine