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Our Maternal

Portner

Family Ancestors

Family History

Origins of the Surname

Variations of the Surname

Direct Ancestors

Family Location Information

Source Documents

Website Resources

Family Images Gallery

Contact Information

 

 

Portner

Family History

Our Portner family ancestors were originally from the canton Berne of Switzerland.   Michel Portner was born circa 1551 in the town of Wahlern which lies south of the Sense River in the foothills of the Alps Mountains.  Michel married Anna Rohrbach also a native of Wahlern around the year 1574.  To this union at least eight known off-spring were produced between 1575 and 1590.

Jeremias Portner, son of the aforementioned Michel and Anna, and our 10th great-grandfather, was born at Wahlern in 1580.  Jeremias married Elizabeth Zandt also of Wahlern.  Our lineage continues through their daughter Barbara Portner circa 1623.

Barbara married David Werli, II at Wahlern in 1646.  All of their many children were born in Switzerland between 1646 and 1667.  Our decendency continues through their son Johann Werli, (aka. Jean Verly).  It was Johann Werli who, as a young man, left Wahlern and migrated north the Alsace Region of France.

Portner

Origins of the Surname *

The Portner surname is derived from the Old French elements “porter” and “nuit”, meaning “carry” and “night”, suggesting that the name may have originally been occupational, for someone who worked as a porter at night.  Pörtner is also  a North German occupational name for a doorkeeper or gatekeeper, from an agent derivative of Middle Low German port(e) ‘gate’.

 

Some of the first American settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Portnell, who came to America in1685, and Thomas Portner who arrived in Baltimore from Germany in 1867.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4 Family Facts (Ancestry.com)

*French Surname Meanings & Origins

Coming from the medieval French word 'surnom' translating as "above-or-over name," surnames or descriptive names trace their use back to 11th century France, when it first became necessary to add a second name to distinguish between individuals with the same given name. The custom of using surnames did not become common for several centuries, however.

Origins of French Last Names -  French surnames developed from four major sources:

Patronymic & Matronymic Surnames - Based on a parent’s name, this is the most common category of French last names. French language prefixes and suffixes are sometimes found attached to a given name to form a patronymic surname (Jean de Gaulle - John son of Gaulle). The majority of French patronymic and matronymic surnames have no identifying prefix, however, being direct derivations of the parent's given name (August Landry - August son of Landri).

Occupational Surnames - Also very common among French surnames, these last names are based on the person’s job or trade (Pierre Boulanger [baker] - Pierre the baker)

Descriptive Surnames - Based on a unique quality of the individual, these surnames often developed from nicknames or pet names (Jacques Legrand - Jacques the big)

Geographical Surnames - These surnames are based on a person’s residence, usually a former residence (Yvonne Marseille - Yvonne from the village of Marseille). They may also describe the individual's specific location within a village or town (Michel Léglise [church] lives next to the church).

Suffixes & Prefixes - While not in common use as in Italy or Sweden, some French surnames are formed by the addition of various prefixes and suffixes. A variety of French suffixes including -eau, -elet, -elin, -elle, and -elot, mean "little son of" and can be found attached to a given name to form a patronym. Prefixes of French surnames also have specific origins. The prefixes "de," "des," "du," and "le" each translate as "of" and may be found used in patronymic and geographical French surnames. Some French-Norman patronymic surnames will have the prefix "fritz," from the Old French for "son of" (Fitzgerald - son of Gerald).

Alias Surnames or Dit Names - In some areas of France, a second surname may have been adopted in order to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. These alias surnames can often be found preceded by the word "dit." Sometimes an individual even adopted the dit name as the family name, and dropped the original surname. This practice was most common in France among soldiers and sailors.

Germanic Origins of French Names - As so many French surnames are derived from first names, it is important to know that many common French first names have Germanic origins, coming into fashion during German invasions into France. Therefore, having a name with Germanic origins does not necessarily mean that you have German ancestors!

Official Name Changes in France - Beginning in 1474, anyone who wished to change his name was required to get permission from the King. These official name changes can be found indexed in: Jérôme, archiviste. Dictionnaire des changements de noms de 1803 à 1956 (Dictionary of changed names from 1803 to 1956). Paris: Librairie Française, 1974.

Source: French Surname Meanings & Origins

*  Many German names have their roots in the Germanic middle ages. The process of forming family names began around the year 1100 and extended through 1600. All social classes and demographic strata aided in the development of names. First Names (Rufnamen) identified specific persons. Over time the first name began to be applied to the bearer's whole family. At first through verbal usage, family names (Familiennamen) were later fixed through writing. Until the 17th century, first names played a more important role. The earliest family names derived from the first name of the first bearer (Patronym). Later names derived from the place of dwelling and location of the homestead. If a person of family migrated from one place to another they were identified by the place they came from. Of more recent origin are names derived from the vocation of profession of the first bearer. These names comprise the largest group and the most easily recognizable, for they tell what the first bearer did for a living. Another group are names derived from a physical or other characteristic of the first bearer. Finally, there are names that tell you the state or region a first bearer and his family came from; the age old division in tribes and regions (low German, middle German and upper German) is often reflected in names.

Portner

Variations of the Surname

The complexity of researching records is compounded by the fact that in many cases an ancestors surname may have been misspelled.  This is especially true when searching census documents. Spelling variations of this family name include: Spelling variations of this family name include: Portnoy, Portnew, Portno, Portner and others.

 

The Soundex system was developed in an effort to assist with identifying spelling variations for a given surname. Soundex is a method of indexing names in the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 US Census, and can aid genealogists in their research.   Soundex Code for Portner = P635. Other surnames sharing this Soundex Code: PARTAIN | PARTEN | PARTIN | PARTON | PORTWINE | PREADMORE | PRIDEMORE | PRIDMORE | PRUDDEN | PURDOM | PURDON |

Source: Surname Resources at ROOTSWEB

Searching for more Information about this and other surnames?

Then take a look at our:

SURNAME LOCATOR RESOURCES WEBPAGE

Portner

Direct Ancestors

Additional information about our DIRECT ANCESTORS and their

families may be reviewed by clicking on the name LINK(s) below.

NAME

BIRTH / DEATH / LOCATIONS

Michel PORTNER

Birth: ABT 1551 in Wahlern, Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland

Jeremias PORTNER

Birth: 4 DEC 1580 in Wahlern, Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland

Barbara PORTNER

Birth: ABT 1623 in Wahlern, Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland

The following LINK will take you to a complete listing of individuals with this surname.

MMPS Surname Locator

Free Genealogy Surname Search Help from Google

This free genealogy site to help you get the best genealogy searches from Google™ by using your family tree, for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or "tricks" that

will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google and the Internet to find ancestry information about this or any other Surname. 

Portner

 

Family Location Information

Researching the locations where our ancestors lived has provided us with valuable evidence needed to fill-in the gaps in our family trees.  It has also led us to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group.  The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the persons in the “Direct Ancestors” list (see above) were born, married, and/or died.

COUNTRY

STATE

COUNTY / SUBDIVISION

SWITZERLAND

BERNE

Schwarzenberg (Wahlren)

Use this LINK to find out more about the locations listed above.

ANCESTRAL LOCATIONS

Portner

 

Source Documents

The documents contained herein have been located during our research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.

 

     Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary.  Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record.  Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error.  Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents.  Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

     Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value.  This is especially true of secondary evidence.  Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?;  (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE:  Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2nd edition, Genealogical Publishing  Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

 

You are welcome to download any of the documents contained within this archive.

  Should you encounter a problem obtaining a copy you may get in touch with

 us via the contact information found at the end of this page.

Use the following LINK to view the source documents pertaining

 to this family.

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

Portner

 

Website Resources

The following search engine and websites may provide you with additional

information to assist with your research about persons with this surname.

 

o    Search Genealogy Surnames for Portner

o    Search All-Biographies for Portner    

Source: Surname Genealogy Search - SurnameWeb

Search these sites for this surname or any of its varients:

Ancestry.com;   Genealogy.com;   CousinConnect.com;   DistantCousin.com;   MyCinnamonToast

Additional Sites That We Recommend

Linkpendium Surnames - Web sites, obituaries, biographies, and other material specific to a surname.

Surname Finder | Free Ancestry Search Resource - online since 1998, providing easy access to free and commercial resources for 1,731,359 surnames. On each surname specific "finder" page, you can search a variety of online databases all pre-programmed with your surname.

Cyndi's List - Surnames, Family Associations & Family Newsletters Index - Sites or resources dedicated to specific, individual family surnames.

Free Genealogy Search Help for Google - This free genealogy site will help you use Google™ for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or "tricks" that will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google to find ancestry information on the Internet. 

FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

Top Genealogical Websites - These mighty roots resources compiled by “Family Tree Magazine”, will give you the power to bust through research brick walls and find answers about your ancestors—all from your home computer.

SurnameDB Free database of surname meanings - This site SurnameDB.Com contains a large FREE to access database (almost 50,000 surnames) on the history and meaning of family last names.

Loux

Family Images Gallery

During our research we have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a particular family.  Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of our ancestors past lives.

 

If you have any photographs or other images relating to this

ancestral family we would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Use the following LINKS to ascertain whether we have any images that pertain to this family.

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS and IMAGES

Contact Information

Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA

Email

Pony Express:

Tom
27 Christopher Dr.
Burton, NB E2V3H4
Canada