Portis
A rare surname that may come from a place-name or Latin-derived family form, though its exact origin is uncertain.
The #9,877 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 94,302 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The evidence for Portis is thin, and the surname is best treated as uncertain. The form may be connected with Latin-style name endings or with a place-name built on the root of Latin porta, meaning “gate” or “door,” but the surviving historical material does not prove a single source. It is also possible that Portis developed as a surname through regional spelling changes from an older name containing Port-, Porta-, or Portus.
History
The name is relatively uncommon in modern records, especially in the United States. The historical excerpt mainly shows Portis alongside other Latinized forms, which suggests it was recognized as a surname pattern in older name lists, but not enough is given to trace a firm line of descent. Because of that, its early history remains obscure in standard surname references.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Portis is uncommon enough that even old surname lists tend to mention it only in passing rather than with a full derivation.
From the historical record
“(Thumb), Poto, Promo, - Poles, Potest, Poteras, Poterat, - Pompa, Paret, Purgit, Polus, Polum, Preces, - Portus, Porta, Portas, Portis, - Parro, Pancratz, Peto, Pono, Posco, Prerao, Pando, Parous, Parc^, Prope, Pene, Pardo, Prandi, Pila; Pinus, Pino, Palus, Parvo, Penna, Pinna, Pyra, Pausa, Puppo, Picus, Parus, -…”
— A Grammar of American Surnames