Porterfi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Early Origins of the Porterfi family

The surname Porterfi was first found in Renfrewshire, at Porterfield where "in several monasteries, a portion of land was appropriated to the Porter. The descendants of 'John the Porter,' inheriting the 'porterfield' naturally took the surname from their office, until territorial surnames came into fashion, when they lengthened it into 'Robertus Porterfield de eodem,' the founder of a family of consideration in Renfrew.' " 1 "The family are descended from John de Porter, 1262." 2

Of note was John Porterfield of that Ilk who obtained from James III a charter of confirmation of his lands of Porterfield in 1460. 1

Early History of the Porterfi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Porterfi research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1549, 1571, 1573 and 1604 are included under the topic Early Porterfi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Porterfi Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Porterfield, Porterfeild and others.

Early Notables of the Porterfi family

Notable among the family at this time was

John Porterfield (d. 1604?), a Scottish prelate, Archbishop of Glasgow (c. 1571.)...

Migration of the Porterfi family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: David Porterfield, who arrived in Virginia in 1684; David Porterfeild, who arrived in Virginia in 1700; Boyd Porterfield, who came to New York in 1776.

The Porterfi 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: Sub pondere sursum
Motto Translation: Beneath my load (I look) upward.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.