Origin & Meaning of the Porterfield Surname
What does the last name Porterfield mean?
The surname Porterfield carries the meaning "From a field or open land." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 6,780 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Porterfield ranks as the #5,160 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Porterfield come from?
The Porterfield surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Porterfield name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Porterfield trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Porterfield |
|---|---|
| Meaning | From a field or open land |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #5,160 |
| US Count (2010) | 6,780 |
| Per 100K People | 2.3 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Porterfield
According to the US Census, the Porterfield surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 6,780 Americans with the Porterfield last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 80.99% |
| Black | 14.84% |
| Hispanic | 1.84% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.35% |
| Native American | 0.35% |
| Two or More Races | 1.62% |
Popularity of Porterfield Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Porterfield surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Porterfield surname increased by 169 between 2000 and 2010.
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The Complete Story of the Porterfield Family
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- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Porterfield
- ✓ The Porterfield coat of arms & heraldry
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- ✓ Where Porterfield families live today
- ✓ Notable Porterfield bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Similar Surnames to Porterfield
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Porterfield.
Other English Surnames
Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Porterfield.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porterfield
Top Surnames Starting with P
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter P, ranked by population.
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