Surname Portis - Meaning and Origin
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Portis: What does the surname Portis mean?
The surname Portis is of medieval English origin, derived from the Old French term "portier", which means "doorkeeper". The name was typically given to someone who held this position, such as a gatekeeper of a town or a doorkeeper at a large house or castle. It is also said that in some instances, the name could have been topographic, referring to someone who lived near the gates of a fortified town. Over time, the original spelling was changed and anglicized, resulting in variations including Portis, Porte, Porter, and others. Like many surnames, it began as a way to identify someone by their occupation or location. Despite its English origins, it can be found in various countries around the world today.
Order DNA origin analysisPortis: Where does the name Portis come from?
The last name Portis is most commonly found today in the United States, particularly in the South, with there being much higher concentrations in North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. It is also found throughout the Caribbean, especially in Barbados, where people have been immigrating to the US since the 19th century, taking the Portis name with them.
Though its exact origins are unknown, it is believed to come from the Latin word "porticus," meaning a porch or gateway. This could be related to a geographical feature, such as a coastal cliff or an ancient city gateway. In addition, the name may have come from England, with various records of Portis families living there since medieval times.
The Portis name is not very common outside the US, though there have been reports of it being found in places like Poland, Canada, Mexico, and the UK. Outside of English-speaking cultures, the name is likely to be spelled differently—a variation such as "Portos" has been found in Latin America.
Overall, the Portis last name is mostly found in the United States, with a smaller presence in other countries. Its origin remains largely uncertain, though the Latin root and potential English migration offer some clues.
Variations of the surname Portis
The surname Portis is a patronymic name of English and French origin that can be spelt in multiple variations. Common variants of the name include Portes, Ports, Portiss, Portes, Portisses, and Portise. It is thought to have derived from the Middle English term “portes” meaning “doors” or “gates”.
The name is also commonly found in other countries with similar variations. In Italy, Portis is spelled Porti and Portis is found in both Spain and Portugal as Portes. In Germany, the name is spelt Portas and in Poland, it is spelt Poryt.
Surnames connected to the Portis surname include Porteous and Poteet. Porteous is believed to have derived from the personal name Porteus, a form of the Portis name in Scotland. Poteet is likely an Americanized version of the names Porteus, Portis, or Portes.
Portis is a relatively uncommon surname, and those that bear the name can trace their heritage back to one source. The origin and spelling of the surname provide insight into family genealogy and the progress of the early settlers of England, France, Germany and beyond.
Famous people with the name Portis
- Clinton Portis, former NFL running back
- Janie Lucille Portis, American poet
- Kenneth Portis, American actor
- Bob Portis, American painter
- John Portis, English composer
- Charles Portis, American novelist
- Anna Lee Portis, American actress
- Carl Portis, British actor
- Robert L. Portis, former U.S. Congressman
- Kevin Portis, American football player