Portch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Portch

What does the name Portch mean?

Portch is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Portch 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 Portch family

The surname Portch 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 Portch family

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

Portch Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Porcher, Porchers and others.

Early Notables of the Portch family

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

Portch migration to Australia +

Portch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Enoch Portch, (b. 1830), aged 15, English labourer who was convicted in Somerset, England for 15 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "David Malcolm" on 13th May 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and Norfolk Island, he died in 1909 1

Portch migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Portch Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Emma Portch, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876

The Portch 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.

Sources +

Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-malcolm