Portland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

(226)

Early Origins of the Portland family

The surname Portland was first found in Dorset at the Isle of Portland, a limestone tied island, 6 kilometers (4 mi) long by 2.4 kilometers (1.5 mi) wide, in the English Channel. The island was first listed as simply Port in the 9th century, but by 862 it was listed as Portlande and later as Porland in the Domesday Book of 1086. 1

Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Portland, held by the King's steward who was recorded in the Domesday Book. It is generally believed that the island has been inhabited since at least the Mesolithic period as there is archaeological evidence of Mesolithic inhabitants at the Culverwell Mesolithic Site.

Historically it has been a great source of limestone as Sir Christopher Wren, the architect and Member of Parliament for nearby Weymouth, used six million tons of white Portland limestone to rebuild destroyed parts of London after the Great Fire of London of 1666.

Porlock is a parish and small port, and formerly a market-town, in the union of Williton, hundred of Carhampton in Somerset. "This place, which derives its name from the Saxon Portlocan, 'an inclosed harbour,' is of considerable antiquity, having been a residence of the West Saxon kings, who had an extensive chase here. About the year 918, a band of pirates entered the harbour; but the greater number were slain by the inhabitants, and the rest escaping to the island of Steepholmes, died of hunger. In 1052, Harold, son of Earl Godwin, having sailed from Ireland with nine ships, entered Porlock bay, and, being unsuccessfully opposed by the inhabitants, slew great numbers, set fire to the town, and carried off much booty. " 2

Early History of the Portland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Portland research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1281 is included under the topic Early Portland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Portland Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Portland, Pertland, Portlan, Portlock and others.

Early Notables of the Portland family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

the Portland family of Dorset

Portland migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Portland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Henry Portland, who settled in Maryland in 1660

Portland Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Portland, a bonded passenger, who settled in America in 1766

Portland migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Portland Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Maria Portland, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1839

Portland migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Portland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Portland, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Portland (post 1700) +

Salmon Portland Chase (1808-1873), American jurist and statesman, 6th Chief Justice of the United States (1864-1873), 25th United States Secretary of the Treasury (1861-1864), eponym of Chase National Bank
Salmon Portland Chase (1808-1873), American Republican politician, U.S. Senator from Ohio, 1849-55, 1861; Governor of Ohio, 1856-60; U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, 1861-64; Chief Justice of U.S. Supreme Court, 1864-73 4
Portland Helmich, American producer and actress, known for The Purge: Election Year (2016), Bleed for This (2016) and America's Cutest (2009)
Portland Hoffa (1905-1990), American comedienne, actor, and dancer