A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Porter family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3465 · Belgian, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
What the shield shows
The shield is cut across the middle, black above and silver below, carrying three bells that switch colour where they cross the join.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de sa. sur arg.; à trois cloches, de l'un à l'autre.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Porter Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Porter arms are recorded
The Porter arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Porter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Porter Family in Belgium
The name Porter is primarily occupational in origin, derived from the Old French word *portier*, which refers to a gatekeeper or a person who carries burdens. In the context of 18th-century Belgium, the name likely identified individuals who managed city gates, worked at customs houses, or served as porters for merchant guilds. By 1737, the presence of the Porter family in the region suggests they were part of the working or merchant classes who moved between the bustling trade centers of the Low Countries. During this era, the movement of people across borders was common for those involved in the transport of goods, and the name served as a functional label for their daily professional responsibilities.
Life for the Porter family in Belgium during the 1700s would have been shaped by the local administrative systems of the time. Records from this period often track families through parish registers, which documented baptisms, marriages, and burials. Because Belgium was a central hub for European commerce, families with names like Porter often settled near major transit routes or urban centers where their skills in logistics and gatekeeping were in high demand. Over time, these families became integrated into the local social fabric, transitioning from transient workers to established residents who contributed to the economic growth of their specific towns and provinces.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A black background carrying three silver church bells.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. three church bells ar”
CumberlandWeary Hall · Cumberland, c. 1620
Where the Porter Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Porter arms are recorded
The Porter arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Porter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Porter Family in England
The surname Porter is an occupational name that originated in medieval England. It comes from the Old French word "portier," which refers to a gatekeeper or a person in charge of a door. In the feudal system, a porter held a position of significant trust. They were responsible for guarding the entrances to castles, monasteries, and large manor houses. Because these roles were essential to the security of important estates, the name became common across many different regions of the country as people began adopting hereditary surnames.
By the early 17th century, the Porter family had established a notable presence in the northern county of Durham. Records indicate that members of the family were living in this area by 1620. During this period, Durham was a unique region governed by the Prince-Bishops, who held both religious and secular authority. Families living in this part of England often worked in agriculture or the growing coal trade that defined the local economy. The presence of the Porter name in Durham during this time suggests that the family had integrated well into the local community and was participating in the social and economic life of the North East.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
A red background carrying three silver church bells.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. three church bells ar”
MeathKingston · Meath, c. 1623
Where the Porter Arms Were Recorded
Meath
Map of Ireland showing where the Porter arms are recorded
The Porter arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1623.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Belgium when the Porter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Meath.
Origin & History of the Porter Family in Ireland
The surname Porter arrived in Ireland primarily through English settlers during the seventeenth century. While the name originates from the Old French word "portier," meaning a gatekeeper or someone who carried burdens, its presence in Ireland is closely tied to the period of plantation and colonial expansion. By 1623, records confirm that members of the Porter family were established in County Meath. During this time, families with this name often served in administrative or military roles, settling on land granted by the English Crown.
As the seventeenth century progressed, the Porter family became further integrated into the local society of Meath and the surrounding regions. Because the name was associated with a specific occupation, it was common for individuals to move into roles involving trade, local government, or the management of estates. Their presence in Meath suggests they were part of the growing network of families that helped organize and maintain the infrastructure of the area during a time of significant political change. Over the generations, the family transitioned from being recent arrivals to becoming a recognized part of the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
portier
porteur
Gatekeeper, carrier.
This name
PorterA person who guards a gate or carries heavy loads.
also spelled
Portar
Portier
Porteur
Related arms
Portevariant spelling
Atkinsonrecorded with Porter, same area
Bowlesrecorded with Porter, same area
Braynerecorded with Porter, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters (Registers van de parochies)
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bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
