NameCensus.

UK surname

Porteus

A Scottish surname derived from the French word "portier", meaning gatekeeper or doorman.

In the 1881 census there were 315 people recorded with the Porteus surname, ranking it #9,393 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 216, ranked #18,613, down from #9,393 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Escrick and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wychavon, East Riding of Yorkshire and Darlington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Porteus is 367 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 31.4%.

1881 census count

315

Ranked #9,393

Modern count

216

2016, ranked #18,613

Peak year

1901

367 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Porteus had 315 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,393 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 216 in 2016, ranked #18,613.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 367 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Porteus surname distribution map

The map shows where the Porteus surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Porteus surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Porteus over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 279 #8,067
1861 historical 193 #12,371
1881 historical 315 #9,393
1891 historical 281 #11,630
1901 historical 367 #10,076
1911 historical 231 #13,636
1997 modern 213 #16,948
1998 modern 233 #16,459
1999 modern 240 #16,226
2000 modern 234 #16,470
2001 modern 228 #16,525
2002 modern 242 #16,186
2003 modern 237 #16,191
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 238 #16,198
2006 modern 223 #17,036
2007 modern 219 #17,425
2008 modern 214 #17,854
2009 modern 233 #17,241
2010 modern 226 #17,942
2011 modern 227 #17,733
2012 modern 234 #17,291
2013 modern 225 #18,027
2014 modern 220 #18,471
2015 modern 218 #18,478
2016 modern 216 #18,613

Geography

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Where Porteus' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Escrick, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Edinburgh and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wychavon, East Riding of Yorkshire, Darlington, Windsor and Maidenhead and Bolsover. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Gateshead Durham
2 Escrick Yorkshire, East Riding
3 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wychavon 012 Wychavon
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 002 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 Darlington 007 Darlington
4 Windsor and Maidenhead 014 Windsor and Maidenhead
5 Bolsover 004 Bolsover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Porteus

These lists show first names that appear often with the Porteus surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Porteus

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Porteus, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Porteus surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Porteus household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Porteus is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Porteus is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Porteus falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Porteus is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Porteus, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Porteus

The surname Porteus is of English origin, derived from the French word "porteux" meaning "porter" or "carrier." The name first emerged in the 13th century and was predominantly found in the northern counties of England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a certain William Porteus was listed as a resident of Yorkshire. It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who worked as porters or carriers, transporting goods from one place to another.

During the medieval period, the surname appears in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which mention a John Porteus. The Porteus family also had a presence in the city of York, with records from the 14th century indicating their involvement in trade and commerce.

One of the earliest notable figures bearing the Porteus surname was Sir Robert Porteus (c.1590-1662), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of York in 1644. Another prominent individual was Beilby Porteus (1731-1808), a clergyman who became the Bishop of London and was known for his philanthropic efforts in promoting education and charity.

In the 18th century, the Porteus family gained prominence in Scotland when Beilby Porteus' nephew, also named Beilby Porteus (1763-1825), became a renowned Scottish jurist and legal scholar. He served as a judge of the Court of Session and played a significant role in shaping Scottish law.

Another notable figure was Nathaniel Porteus (1748-1817), a Church of England clergyman who served as the Bishop of Chester and later the Bishop of London. He was known for his efforts in promoting Christian education and his support for the establishment of Sunday schools.

During the 19th century, the Porteus surname continued to be found across various parts of England and Scotland. One prominent individual from this period was Robert Porteus (1817-1888), a Scottish philosopher and professor who taught at the University of Glasgow and wrote extensively on moral philosophy and ethics.

Throughout its history, the surname Porteus has been associated with various occupations, including clergymen, lawyers, scholars, and tradesmen. While the name originated from the occupation of a porter or carrier, it has since become a well-established surname with a rich history spanning several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Porteus families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Porteus surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 112 Porteus' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.67x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 112 3.67x
Durham 50 5.45x
Middlesex 26 0.84x
Lancashire 24 0.66x
Northumberland 23 5.02x
Ayrshire 16 6.94x
Nottinghamshire 13 3.13x
Cumberland 8 3.01x
Midlothian 7 1.70x
Dumfriesshire 5 7.34x
Lincolnshire 5 1.01x
Warwickshire 5 0.64x
Derbyshire 3 0.62x
Perthshire 3 2.17x
Renfrewshire 3 1.26x
Surrey 3 0.20x
Cheshire 2 0.29x
Lanarkshire 2 0.20x
Angus 1 0.35x
Berkshire 1 0.43x
Devon 1 0.16x
Kent 1 0.10x
Royal Navy 1 2.72x
Shropshire 1 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gateshead in Durham leads with 21 Porteus' recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.59x.

Place Total Index
Gateshead 21 30.59x
Bromley London 15 22.12x
Leeds 12 6.96x
Ruddington 12 430.11x
Ballantrae 11 718.95x
Thornton In Pocklington 11 6470.59x
Westoe 10 19.24x
York St Saviour 9 308.22x
Earsdon 8 214.48x
Chirton 7 67.44x
Escrick 7 1129.03x
Medomsley 7 163.55x
Northowram 7 32.68x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 3.61x
South Shields 6 73.44x
York St Nicholas In 6 348.84x
Hammersmith London 5 6.59x
Kexby 5 3571.43x
Murton In York 5 2631.58x
Over Darwen 5 17.12x
Rothwell 5 81.04x
Sneaton 5 2083.33x
York St Mary 5 39.53x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 10.07x
Holme Low 4 547.95x
Leamington 4 77.67x
North Meols 4 11.17x
Preston 4 4.09x
West Derby 4 3.74x
Benwell 3 59.88x
Chapel En Le Frith 3 68.03x
East Ayton 3 714.29x
Elland Cum Greetland 3 21.80x
Elswick 3 8.20x
Irvine 3 46.80x
Kirkmichael 3 333.33x
Liversedge 3 22.06x
Skirbeck 3 108.70x
St Pancras London 3 1.21x
Westward 3 270.27x
York All Sts North 3 198.68x
York St Margaret 3 158.73x
York St Maurice 3 52.17x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 3.44x
Cleethorpes 2 68.97x
Clifton In York 2 31.30x
Easingwold 2 92.59x
Eastwood 2 13.60x
Gisburn Forrest 2 714.29x
Lambeth 2 0.74x
Largs 2 36.83x
Logie 2 40.32x
Newton 2 7.09x
Pickering 2 51.95x
York St John Micklegate 2 270.27x
Banstead 1 24.57x
Basford 1 5.22x
Birkenhead 1 1.84x
Birmingham 1 0.39x
Cathcart 1 7.74x
Cheetham 1 3.67x
Darlington 1 2.82x
Dawdon 1 8.87x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 9.82x
Dryfesdale 1 31.85x
Edinburgh New 1 31.15x
Govan 1 0.41x
Heworth 1 126.58x
Islington London 1 0.33x
Lochmaben 1 33.56x
Montrose 1 5.78x
Paddington London 1 0.88x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.02x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 9.51x
Stannington 1 91.74x
Strensall 1 212.77x
Tilehurst 1 21.41x
York Marygate St Olave 1 85.47x
York St Sampson 1 153.85x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Porteus surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 10
Ann 9
Jane 9
Margaret 7
Sarah 7
Annie 6
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Isabella 4
Agnes 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Hannah 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Henrietta 2
Isabel 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Angle 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Diana 1
Dinah 1
Dora 1
Elizath 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Jessie 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Mamie 1
Margret 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Phillis 1
Rebecca 1
Rosetta 1
Serna 1
Susanah 1
Susannah 1
Sussanah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Porteus surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 31
William 21
George 11
Robert 11
James 10
Thomas 10
Henry 7
David 5
Andrew 3
Joseph 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Edward 2
Mark 2
Peter 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Alender 1
Alexander 1
Claude 1
Edgar 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Gilbert 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Louise 1
Ronald 1
Stanhope 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Porteus surname: questions and answers

How common was the Porteus surname in 1881?

In 1881, 315 people were recorded with the Porteus surname. That placed it at #9,393 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Porteus surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 216 in 2016. That gives Porteus a modern rank of #18,613.

What does the Porteus surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the French word "portier", meaning gatekeeper or doorman.

What does the Porteus map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Porteus bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.