Polynesian tattoo artists

Where it comes from

Polynesian tattooing comes from the Pacific islands, including Samoa, Tahiti, the Marquesas and the Maori of New Zealand. The English word tattoo comes from the Polynesian tatau, recorded on Captain Cook's voyage in 1769.

What it looks like

Bold black patterns and bands built from traditional motifs: shark teeth, waves, spearheads, turtles, sun rays and enata (human figures), shaped to the body.

What it represents

Genealogy, status, protection and identity. Traditional pieces tell the wearer's family story, and many artists ask that the culture be treated with respect.

InkFinder Pro lists 45 Polynesian tattoo artists across the US. The cities with the most Polynesian artists are Honolulu, HI, Las Vegas, NV, San Diego, CA, Lemon Grove, CA and Peoria, AZ. Search by city or ZIP to find Polynesian artists near you and see their work.

45 artists

Alienn Garcia

Aliens Ink Tattoo Shop · Lake Worth, TX

Black and Grey, American Traditional, Japanese, Polynesian

Burt

@kiwi.burt

18B Tattoo · Las Vegas, NV

Polynesian

Cameron "Chuy" Courtwright

@chuy_at_animatedcanvas

Animated Canvas Custom Tattoo · Columbia, SC

Black and Grey, Portraits, Neo-Traditional, New School, Polynesian

Cliff (guest)

@cliffpablo

808 Social Tattoo · Peoria, AZ

Black and Grey, Japanese, Anime, Polynesian, Cover-Ups

D-Rock

@drock_solidroots

Eleventh Dimension Tattoo Arts · San Jose, CA

Tribal, Polynesian

Dan Bolick

Forever Inked · Hickory, NC

Portraits, Tribal, Polynesian, Cover-Ups, Cosmetic and Permanent Makeup

Daniel Frye

Dark Horse Tattoo · Los Angeles, CA

Japanese, Blackwork, Geometric, Ornamental, Tribal, Polynesian

David Coronado

Tattoolicious Tattoo Waikiki · Honolulu, HI

Fine Line, Dotwork, Polynesian

Eric Conner

Collective Hive Tattoo · Omaha, NE

Neo-Traditional, Blackwork, Illustrative, Geometric, Lettering, Polynesian

Iryna

Art Collector Tattoo · Culver City, CA

Geometric, Ornamental, Tribal, Polynesian, Cover-Ups

Jacob Kelly

Inked Expressions · East Ridge, TN

Polynesian

Jay Laviolette

@jaylaviolettetattoo

Pure Ink Fury · Schenectady, NY

Blackwork, Geometric, Dotwork, Polynesian

Jerrick Allen

Artillery Ink · Murrieta, CA

Black and Grey, Realism, Neo-Traditional, Color, Polynesian, Cover-Ups

Jess Marquez

@jess_tat2

Studio M Tattoo · Lancaster, PA

Fine Line, Black and Grey, Realism, Polynesian

Joe Wood

@joewoodtattoo

Battlefield Piercing & Tattoo · Saratoga Springs, NY

Black and Grey, Realism, Japanese, Blackwork, Geometric, Polynesian

Joel Jalayahay

Jalayahay Ink · Monterey Park, CA

Tribal, Polynesian

Josh Herrera

Ink Couture Tattoos - St. Mary's · San Antonio, TX

Black and Grey, Realism, Japanese, Ornamental, Polynesian

Joshawa Elsas

Island Tat Evolve · Lemon Grove, CA

Polynesian, Custom, Large Scale

Kea (guest)

@siqtat2s

808 Social Tattoo · Peoria, AZ

American Traditional, Japanese, Polynesian

Keith Feitelson

Tattoolicious Tattoo Waikiki · Honolulu, HI

Fine Line, Black and Grey, American Traditional, Polynesian

Kyle Yanagimoto

@kyle.whytattoos

Yokai Society Tattoo · Killeen, TX

Black and Grey, American Traditional, Color, Polynesian

Luis Guerrero

High Society Tattoo · Midland, TX

American Traditional, Japanese, Polynesian

Maddy Tellez

Island Tat Evolve · Lemon Grove, CA

Tribal, Polynesian

Marc Rainville

@marcrtattoos

Art Attack Tattoo · Winston Salem, NC

Realism, Portraits, Polynesian

Polynesian tattoo questions

What is Polynesian tattoo style?

Bold black patterns and bands built from traditional motifs: shark teeth, waves, spearheads, turtles, sun rays and enata (human figures), shaped to the body. Polynesian tattooing comes from the Pacific islands, including Samoa, Tahiti, the Marquesas and the Maori of New Zealand. The English word tattoo comes from the Polynesian tatau, recorded on Captain Cook's voyage in 1769.

What do Polynesian tattoos represent?

Genealogy, status, protection and identity. Traditional pieces tell the wearer's family story, and many artists ask that the culture be treated with respect.

Where can I find Polynesian tattoo artists near me?

Enter your city or ZIP on this page, or tap Near me, to list Polynesian tattoo artists closest to you with their portfolios.

Which cities have the most Polynesian tattoo artists?

Honolulu, HI (4), Las Vegas, NV (4), San Diego, CA (3), Lemon Grove, CA (3) and Peoria, AZ (2).

Can I see a Polynesian tattoo design before booking?

Yes. Describe your idea in the free Design a Tattoo tool on InkFinder Pro and pick Polynesian as the style to get four designs to bring to an artist.