Could anybody tell me where this plant comes from and also the name of it as you can see its almost egg shaped at the bottom and then a thin piece ending with greenery.

Is it 'growing' in that pot ???????
The poor thing looks WAY too big for it, i'm sure its roots must be screaming for help :-//

I've no idea what it is but would agree with Louise it needs a bigger pot!

Ponytail plant from Mexico, aka elephants foot. Cant remember it's latin name but your's is doing really well. I would pot it up next Spring in next size up. A clay pot would suit it's dryish requirements.

would it need protection in the winter do you think?, people with cordylines lost so many in last years hard winter ( I know its not one of those but as its from Mexico I just wondered)

Beaucamea recurvata. It can get 2-3 meters tall, but very slowly. The "foot" is for storing water.

Looks like the pot is too small but I don't think it is. That storage organ at the base of the stem exaggerates it.

I have grown this from seed before and the caudex (swollen base) develops quickly.

It does best in a pot that is just a little bigger than its foot, but that one is looking a little tight. I'd bump it up about 5 cm.