Surname Portz - Meaning and Origin

Portz: What does the surname Portz mean?

The last name Portz is of German origin. This is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Portz likely came from an occupation or trade, such as a transporter of goods, a person who worked at a port or harbor, or even one who made or sold portable items. Because of the nature of these types of surnames, a single surname can have multiple origins and meanings based on geographic distributions and regional dialects and languages. Therefore, different families with the surname Portz could have different origins. The surname Portz is quite rare, indicating that the origins could be specific to a particular region in Germany or a neighboring country.

Portz: Where does the name Portz come from?

The last name Portz is most commonly found in the United States, especially in Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Texas. It is also present in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. The Portz family originated in Germany and migrated to the United States in the 1700s. It is believed that they mainly settled in the Appalachians and the Midwest after arriving in America.

In the United States, Portz is quite a rare name and is rarely seen outside of certain areas like Ohio and North Carolina. In Ohio, it is most concentrated in the Cincinnati and Toledo areas. North Carolina has a concentration of the Portz family in the Chapel Hill and Raleigh areas.

In 2020, there were only around 1,400 people in the United States having this surname. Most of them live in Ohio, North Carolina, and the Midwest. Other states in the US where the surname Portz is somewhat common are Texas, Wisconsin, Virginia, and clusters in pastoral farming regions in the Midwest.

Outside of the US, Portz can be found in other German-speaking countries. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Portzes migrated to New Zealand and Australia, although they are not as common as in their home country, Germany. In Germany, more than 20,000 people use the surname Portz with concentrations primarily in the states of Lower Saxony and Berlin.

Variations of the surname Portz

Portz is a surname of Germanic origins, and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Portz, Purz, Purs, Purr, and Purrtz. These surnames are derived from the Germanic word “purz” which means to cut or divide, and was used as a nickname for someone who was very skilled with a knife.

The surname Portz is also found in French and Scandinavian countries, and its French variant is Portez. Portez was taken from a diminutive form of the French masculine given name Porcius. The Scandinavian version is Purtsi, taken from a nickname for someone who was very brave or strong-willed.

In addition to these variants and spellings, the surname Portz is also commonly found with various Germanic spellings, such as Pörtz, Pörz, Pürtz, and Pürz. The Germanic spelling is also found in Scandinavian countries, where it is spelled as Portse and Purtsen.

Finally, some of the most common surnames of the same origin as Portz are Purtz, Purser, Poertz, and Portzke. All of these surnames derive from the same root as Portz, or the Germanic words purz and portul.

In conclusion, the surname Portz has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Portz, Purz, Purs, Purr, Purrtz, Portez, Purtsi, Pörtz, Pörz, Pürtz, Pürz, Portse, Purtsen, Purtz, Purser, Poertz, and Portzke. All of these surnames ultimately derive from the Germanic words purz and portul, and refer to someone who is skilled with a knife, brave, strong-willed, or experienced in cutting or dividing.

Famous people with the name Portz

• Dave Portz: musician and member of the band 33 Miles.
• Carolyn Portz: American living historian and storyteller from Wisconsin.
• Nathan Portz: Lead Pastor at Cross Alliance Church in Lewisville, Texas.
• Peter Portz: former political scientist and incumbent MEP from Germany.
• Joy Portz: veteran English teacher and counselor inPA.
• Carol Portz: Realtor in Santa Barbara, California.
• Karl Portz: tax and business attorney in San Diego, California.
• Julie Portz: model and fashion designer.
• Pat Portz: martial arts instructor and expert on self defense.
• Randy Portz: former professional basketball player who played for the Denver Nuggets.
• Meleah Portz: Olympic Cross Country Skier, having competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Mark Portz: professor of management and director of the Center for Strategic Leadership at the University of Michigan.
• Jenny Portz: actress and singer known for the play "Avenue Q".
• Erin Portz: novelist and screenwriter whose works have been featured in film festivals.
• Lew Portz: Christian author, motivational speaker, and business executive.
• Sal Portz: former minor league baseball player from Pennsylvania.
• Barb Portz: former teacher and principal from Wisconsin.
• Josh Portz: professional drift racer from California.
• Shawn Portz: former professional motocross racer from Arizona.
• Dwayne Portz: actor and voice over artist from Los Angeles.

Other surnames

PortPortaPortasPortassPorteiousPörtenerPörtenersPortenlängerPortenschlagerPorteousPorterPorterfieldPortesPorteusPörtgePörtgenPorthPorticePortieousPortierPortisPörtjePortmanPörtnerPortouesPortousPortrapaPortusPortusePortwood