Show ContentsPorson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Porson family

The surname Porson was first found in Yorkshire. The township of Shawdon in Northumberland was home to an early branch of the family. "The township is intersected by the road from Morpeth to Wooler, and comprises about 1200 acres of land, mostly arable, the property of William Pawson, Esq., whose mansion here is surrounded with excellent wood." 1

Early History of the Porson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Porson research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1614 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Porson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Porson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pawson, Payson and others.

Early Notables of the Porson family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Porson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Porson family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James Pawson who arrived in Philadelphia in 1844.


Contemporary Notables of the name Porson (post 1700) +

  • Richard Porson (1759-1808), Greek scholar, born at East Ruston, near North Walsham, Norfolk
  • Jean-François Porson, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 2


The Porson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Favente Deo
Motto Translation: I will defend my God.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, August 12) Jean-François Porson. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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