Porcher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Porcher

What does the name Porcher mean?

The ancestors of the Porcher family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Norfolk. Thae name could also be an occupational name. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. In this case, the term porcker was someone who tended pigs.

Early Origins of the Porcher family

The surname Porcher was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Porcher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Porcher research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1185 and 1273 are included under the topic Early Porcher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Porcher Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Porcher were recorded, including Porcher, Porchers and others.

Early Notables of the Porcher family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Edric Porcher, a Templar

Porcher Ranking

In France, the name Porcher is the 2,180^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,917 people with that name. 1

Porcher migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Porcher arrived in North America very early:

Porcher Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Porcher, who settled in Virginia in 1619
Richard Porcher, who arrived in Virginia in 1672
Isaac and Claudia Porcher, who settled in Carolina with their five children in 1695

Porcher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter Porcher, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1768

Porcher Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Porcher, who settled in South Carolina in 1824
Franz Karl Porcher, who arrived in North America in 1852 2
Gabriel Porcher, who arrived in North America in 1854 2
Johann Jakob Porcher, who landed in North America in 1854 2
Philipp Jakob Porcher, who landed in Brazil in 1856 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Porcher (post 1700) +

William Porcher (1836-1918), American priest and theologian in the Episcopal Church
Robert Porcher (b. 1969), American professional (NFL) football player from 1992-2003
Francis Peyre Porcher (1825-1895), American surgeon, who authored a major work on the medicinal properties of the trees, and plants of the Confederate South
William Porcher DuBose (1836-1918), American priest and theologian in the Episcopal Church

The Porcher Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro rege
Motto Translation: For the King.

Citations +

http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)