Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
PORTER
As described in historical dictionaries
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
PORTER. The keeper of a door. Lat. poiia. The meaning was sometimes extended, and implied a castellan, or keeper of a castle. This was the case with the first of this name and fanrily in Cornwall, who, in a dateless deed, of prolwlbly not later than the XIII. century, is styled Janitor de Tremaion. He received a grant of lands from the Valletorts, then lords of Trematon, and those lands, situate just outside the venerable walls of that fine old feudal fortress, are still possessed by his descendants, who have ever since resided in the immediate vicinity. See C. S. Gilbert's Cornw. H.R. Portarius. Lc Porter. &e.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English