Portiss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Portiss came to England with the ancestors of the Portiss family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Portiss family lived in Norfolk. Thae name could also be an occupational name. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. In this case, the term porcker was someone who tended pigs.

Early Origins of the Portiss family

The surname Portiss was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Portiss family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Portiss research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1185 and 1273 are included under the topic Early Portiss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Portiss Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Porcher, Porchers and others.

Early Notables of the Portiss family

More information is included under the topic Early Portiss Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Portiss family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Portiss or a variant listed above: William Porcher, who came to Virginia in 1619; Richard Porcher, who arrived in Virginia in 1672; Isaac and Claudia Porcher, who settled in Carolina with their five children in 1695.

The Portiss 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: Pro rege
Motto Translation: For the King.