Surname Porteious - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Porteious: What does the surname Porteious mean?
The surname Porteous is of Scottish origin and is popular in the region known as the Borders. The first recorded spelling of the surname dates back to the 13th century. It likely derives from the Old French word "porteur," meaning "bearer," and the Latin "deus," meaning "God." Thus, it may originally have been a name assigned to a person who served the function of bearing religious items in church ceremonies, effectively designating them as a "bearer for God." Another suggested origin is that it could be derived from the Latin word "portus," meaning "harbor" or "gate," implying someone living or working near such a spot. As with many surnames, the exact origin may vary for different families with this name.
Order DNA origin analysisPorteious: Where does the name Porteious come from?
The last name Porteious is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is derived from a French surname, suggesting that it is of French origin. In the UK, it is predominantly found in Scotland, especially in the greater Glasgow area. It can also be found in North West England and South East England. In Ireland, the name is common in the province of Connaught.
In the United States, Porteious is much less common but can be found in some states such as Ohio, Virginia, Washington, Tennessee and Mississippi. The name isn't overly common in Canada, though records suggest it has existed in some parts of the country, particularly in Ontario and Alberta.
In other parts of the world, the name is incredibly rare. There are some records of Porteious families existing in various parts of France and Italy, although the numbers are few and far between. It is also not commonly found in Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean or South America.
Overall, Porteious is not a common name anywhere in the world and is thought to have been influenced by many different cultures and countries. It is largely found in the UK, Ireland, US, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Porteious
The surname Porteious can be found spelled as Porteous, Portis, Portys, Portiss and Portyis. It is an ancient and noble name from Scotland, believed to have been derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name with the elements "port", which meant a "gate" or "harbor" or from "porth" which meant "way".
The earliest documented spelling of the surname Porteous can be found in Scotland as early as the 14th century CE. The same spelling is also seen in records from the 1300s CE in Yarmouth, England. It is believed that the Porteous family took their name from the Olde English pre-7th Century word "port", which meant "passage, entrance way".
The Porteous family up until the 1500s were mostly landowners, or 'lairds' in Scotland. They had extensive holdings in the counties of Midlothian and East Lothian, and held various feudal titles. The family were considered to be much loved and loyal to the local people, with pleasent manners.
Porteous variants and other spellings had been around for many centuries due to the widespread transmission of records and documents around the world. It is believed that the various spellings are a result of translation mistakes, though it could have also been accounting for regional accents during the time.
Today, the surname of Porteous is common around the world, but particularly in the United Kingdom. According to genealogy research, the current estimated population in the UK with the surname Porteous is around 5,995 – 10,200.
Famous people with the name Porteious
- Kerry Porteous: Canadian television producer, whose work includes The Dead Zone and Beauty and the Beast
- David Porteous: Canadian television director, whose work includes Netflix’s Designated Survivor and the Emma Stone-starring Cruella
- William Porteous: British author, educator, and academic rhetoric, known for his contributions to children’s literature
- George Porteous: Scottish journalist, editor, and author of nonfiction, biographical, and historical works
- Julian Porteous: Australian Catholic bishop, noted for his work as the Archbishop of Hobart
- Robert Porteous: Scottish actor, who is best known for his roles in Doctor Who and Sherlock.
- Andrew Porteous: Canadian actor, who has appeared in productions such as Frankenstein’s Army and My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- 14th Earl of Errol: British peer and politician, a descendent of the United Kingdom’s Lord High Constable, dubbed as Lord Porteous
- Steve Porteous: British conductor and musical director, whose credits include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Eurovision Song Contest
- Tony Porteous: American television producer and writer, producer of multiple soap operas such as Ryan’s Hope, All My Children and General Hospital.