Portass History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Portass

What does the name Portass mean?

The history of the Portass family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They 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 Portass family

The surname Portass 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 Portass family

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

Portass Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Porcher, Porchers and others.

Early Notables of the Portass family

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

Migration of the Portass family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Portass or a variant listed above were: 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 Portass 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.