PORTEOUS ASSOCIATES
AUSTRALIA
PORTEOUS - History of Clan
This ancient clan is highlighted by the many variations of the spelling of the name which is neither Pictish nor Scots in its origin.
First found as PORTHEUS, King of Pleuron and Calydon (Greece), the forbear of Diomedes - a hero at the fall of Troy, c. 1300 b.c., who settled in Dardania in Italy, marrying the daughter of King Daunus.
The Roman tribe of Porcius was well established in Tusculum, Italy by 234 b.c. when Marcus Porcius Priscus was to write ‘De Agri Cultura’ in 160 b.c., his skills as an orator caused him to become known as Marcus Porcius Cato - the Romans called a skillful man ‘Cato’, which means ‘sharp intellect’.
Marcus Porcius Cato Utensis, the younger, 96 b.c. - 46 b.c., opposed Julius Caesar in his rise to power, he was related to Brutus who assassinated Caesar in 44 b.c.
Porcius Festus, Procurator of Judea (R.C. 59 - 62) is mentioned in the bible for permitting Paul to go to Rome to exercise his right as a citizen of Rome to appeal his trial to Nero Caesar.
Milo Portarius in 1086 a.d. appears in the Hampshire Roll of Doomsday Book and it is thought that an association with Fraser (Fraise) in France, who accompanied William the Conqueror in 1066 a.d., could have brought the first Porteous to Britian.
The name of Porteous is recorded, in 1430, in the Scottish Borders at Hawkshaw and Glenkirk, Peebleshire, near the headwaters of the Tweed River. Hawkshaw Tower was to occupy a unique position in the Border Peel towers, the home of Sir Patrick Porteous, a border reiver in the ‘Debateable Land’.
James Porteous was incarcerated, in 1650, in Spedlins Tower, where he starved to death, his ghost ‘Dunty’ is said to be kept at bay by the Spedlins bible of the Jardine Clan.
Captain John Porteous, Captain of the Edinburgh City Guard in 1736 was hanged by a mob in the Grassmarket, this act was to become the centre piece of Sir Walter Scott’s classic "Heart of the Midlothian".
Robert Porteus, a descendant of Gilbert de Clare, a Magna Carta Baron, is the genealogical link between Queen Elizabeth 11 and George Washington, he was the father of renowned Bishop of London Bielby Porteus, who campaigned against slavery in 18th century.
Captain Patrick Anthony Porteous, was awarded V.C. for gallantry at Dieppe in 1942, and is among many distinguished Porteous who served with distinction on land and sea across many continents.
James Barry Porteous (Canada) formed Porteous Associates in 1980 to bring together the far flung members of the clan, registered the Porteous tartan in 1978, the Associates developed a pin, designed around the crest of Sir Patrick Porteous of Hawkshaw.
Name variations include : Marcus Porcius 234 B.C. ~ Milo Portarius 1086 ~ John Porcarius 1273 - Robert Portehors 1273 ~ John Pertus 1443 ~ Portowis 1454 ~ Geo. Portwis 1478 ~ Portuis 1478 ~ Portews 1479 ~ John Portewis 1513, Portuus 1527 ~ Portuuss 1549 ~ Rev. Sir Wm. Portus 1550 ~ Portows 1561 ~ Portuiss 1563 ~ Wm. Portouz 1627 ~ John Portish 1631 ~ Robert Portis 1645 ~ Robert Porteos 1646 ~ Ann Portris 1667 -- James Pourtes 1670 ~ Porteouse 1701 ~ Lawrence Portefs 1744 ~ James Portheus 1796 ~ Gustave Portes 1887 ~ Leonard Portioues 1943.
Link to Porteous Associates -
For explanation of further detail worldwide.
Porteous Associates hold information on over 300 families worldwide, exchange of information welcomed
Porteous Associates was formed in Canada in 1976 to bring together all Porteous families around the world, assistance in correlation of all centrallised information is given to bring branch's of the same family together.
In 1980 the book "PORTEOUS STORY" was published, (now sold out) its
author was Barry Porteous, assisted by the Porteous Associates and Porteous/Porteus world wide, contents covered such items as various spellings, its roots, and achievements. A limited edition in hardcover, in sky blue from our Coat of Arms, featured a blend of text, maps, photographs, family trees, diagrams and illustrations, with an occasional cartoon for emphasis, this is the only book to record our family in such detail.
'Table of Contents' include, Border History, Origin of the Porteous Family, Hawkshaw - the family home, Castles, Towers and Porteous Strongholds, Heraldry (Arms, Crests and Mottoes), Tartan, Families prior to and after 1700 A.D., Queen Elizabeth 11, her American and English ancestors and our family, Porteous Warriors including the award of the Victoria Cross to Captain Pat Porteous for valor at Dieppe in 1942, Porteous Riots Edinburgh 1736, 'Dunty' the Porteous Ghost 1650, Porteus families in Ireland, over 150 Family write-ups, 37 Biographies and Achievements including the Roman Tribe of Porcius flourishing 300 B.C.
The Directors of Porteous Associates in 1985 elected James Barry Porteous of Canada as LAIRD Elect of The PORTEOUS ASSOCIATES as a tribute to his work in establishing the Associates. Extensive research has been unable to locate any descendants of the original Porteous family from Hawkshaw.
Porteous Associates Australia began in December 1984 to forward a Newsletter to all those who had made contact within Australia, there are now approximately 30 different known families throughout Australia as well as New Zealand, South Africa, America and Canada contacts.
In 1989 a lapel badge became available which featured the oldest known Porteous Crest dating from 1439 for William Porteous of Hawkshaw.
A cairn was erected in 1990 on the site of Hawkshaw, using stone from the original building, officially unveiled by our Laird Elect - James Barry - in September 1990 with a gathering of interested Porteous.
Family information that you forward will be checked against approx 300 family trees worldwide and other details held, to try to extend your known family. The Associates do not do paid research but rely upon interested people forwarding any Porteous information that they may come across. The smallest detail could be the clue to assisting you or others.
A donation towards the cost of photocopying and postage of the newsletter and any return mail would be appreciated.
Family index : http://www.geocities.com/porteous_assoc/family2.html
Porteous Associates – Australia, produces a Newsletter in July and December each year.
Assistance provided for research with 30 known Porteous / Porteus Australian families, information exchanged, links to overseas contacts available.
Reprints of ‘The PORTEOUS STORY’ only available through this site - cost $50.00 AUD posted.
Prints of ‘PORTEOUS AUSTRALIA’ by R.G Porteous only available through this site. Cost $50.00 AUD posted within Australia.
Porteous - Australia
, is now on sale.Features :
A timeline of Australian history with Porteous arrivals shown
An article on possible Porteous origins
Migration to Australia
Select Porteous Biographies
Including : Captain John Porteous on HMS "Porpoise", in 1810 with Governor Bligh, following Rum Rebellion.
Andrew Porteous, Protector of Aborigines.
Porteous forbear of noted journalist and poet ‘Banjo’ Paterson, whose family developed Clydesdale horse
Porteus ‘piners’ in north west Tasmania.
Richard Sidney Porteous – noted author
Porteous – pioneer families in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania
Numerous family histories written by family members
Over 30 Australian family trees that show oldest known to latest descendancies
Humourous family stories
Articles from the Australian Newsletters
Collation of Porteous names from Armed Services
Other informative items, various pictures and maps to highlight individuals
The book, of 360 pages, will be printed in A4 size, wirebound for easy reading with clear protective covers over green card, Printed by P.C. on request (low volume quantity makes commercial printing non-viable) or can be purchased on CD (Microsoft Works or Word format only)
PORTEOUS - Australia is a valuable additional volume to ‘The Porteous Story’, and your collection of Porteous memorabilia, it will not be available through any other source.
Priced at $50 AUD, which includes all postage and packaging charges in Australia
( For postage outside Australia add $10 AUD )
To know more of your Australian namesakes a copy should be on your shelves.
Each copy will be numbered and recipient name can be included.
Email : porteous@tpgi.com.au for further details
Also available Lapel Badges - $7.00 AUD ea.
Clothe Badge - $7.00 AUD ea
Useful Research Sites :
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index
http://genforum.genealogy.com/porteous/
http://genforum.genealogy.com/porteus/
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~family/