PORTEOUS
Porteous
Porteous is a Scottish surname of Norman-French origin. The name can be traced back to the medieval period in England and Scotland, where it was introduced by Norman settlers. The surname Porteous is of locational origin, deriving from the Old French word "porteurs," meaning "porter" or "gatekeeper." Over time, individuals working as gatekeepers or porters by the gates of towns or castles adopted this surname as a mark of their occupation.
In Scotland, the Porteous name is particularly associated with the Borders region. Notably, the Porteous family played a prominent role in the history of Scotland, especially during the turbulent periods of the Borders Reivers and the Jacobite uprisings.
One of the most infamous events involving the Porteous name is the Porteous Riots that took place in Edinburgh in 1736. Captain John Porteous of the Edinburgh City Guard was responsible for the killing of several innocent civilians during a riot. His subsequent controversial pardon led to a public uproar, resulting in his own death at the hands of a mob. This event has made the name Porteous synonymous with abuse of power and public outrage in Scottish history.
Today, the surname Porteous is found not only in Scotland but also in other parts of the United Kingdom and the world, carried by individuals with diverse backgrounds and occupations. Research into genealogy and family history has provided insights into the spread and evolution of the Porteous name over the centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of British heritage.
There are approximately 3,397 people named Porteous in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,686th most common surname in Britain. Around 52 in a million people in Britain are named Porteous.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Brian
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Alison
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elaine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Fiona
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Margaret
- Mary
- Susan
- Yvonne
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.