Porthouse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Porthouse

What does the name Porthouse mean?

The name Porthouse reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Porthouse 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 Porthouse family

The surname Porthouse 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 Porthouse family

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

Porthouse Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Porthouse family name include Porcher, Porchers and others.

Early Notables of the Porthouse family

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

Porthouse 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:

Porthouse Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Joseph Porthouse, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "John Masterman" in 1857

The Porthouse 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.