Portmann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Portmann family

The surname Portmann was first found in Somerset where the name was derived from the trade or occupation of a civic officer. "The family of this name in Somersetshire, appear to have been eminent so early as the reign of Edward I." 1

Early History of the Portmann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Portmann research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1557, 1590, 1605, 1612, 1623, 1624, 1632, 1641, 1645 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Portmann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Portmann Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Portman, Portmann, Porttman, Partman and others.

Early Notables of the Portmann family

Sir William Portman (died 1557), English jurist. His family belonged to Somerset, and he was in the commission of the peace for that county from time to time. In 1533 King Henry gave him a wardship, and he was one of the administrators of the will of Catherine of Aragon. 2 Sir William Portman (1641-1690), was a captor of the Duke of Monmouth and a descendant of the same Somerset family. The Portman Baronetcy, of Orchard Portman in...
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Portmann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Portmann migration to the United States +

Portmann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Theodor Christian Portmann, who landed in America in 1836 3
J H C Portmann, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 3

The Portmann 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: Make a clean heart and a cheerful spirit

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)