Find out how popular the last name Portell is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Portell.

Portell, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Portell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Portell in America

Portell is the 26212th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Portell surname appeared 933 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Portell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Portell to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Portell

The surname Portell is believed to have originated in the Catalonia region of Spain during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "portella," which means a small door or gate. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived near or guarded a small gateway or entrance.

In the early records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as Portella, Portelle, and Portel, reflecting the linguistic evolution of the region. One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the cartulary of the monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès, dated around the 11th century.

The Portell surname gained prominence in the 13th and 14th centuries, particularly in the areas surrounding Barcelona and Tarragona. During this time, several notable individuals bearing the name are recorded in historical documents.

One such figure was Ramon Portell, a prominent merchant from Barcelona who lived in the late 13th century. He was involved in the lucrative trade routes between the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula.

In the 15th century, the Portell family established itself in the town of Piera, located near Barcelona. Joan Portell (1420-1489) was a respected landowner and vintner in this region, known for his exceptional wine production.

As the surname spread across Spain and beyond, it took on variations influenced by local dialects and languages. For instance, in the Balearic Islands, the name was commonly spelled as Portell or Portells.

One notable bearer of the name was Francesc Portell (1680-1748), a renowned architect from Palma de Mallorca. He designed several important buildings in the Baroque style, including the Church of Sant Francesc in Palma.

Another prominent figure was José Portell y Casanoves (1818-1892), a Spanish politician and lawyer from Valencia. He served as a member of the Spanish Parliament and was instrumental in shaping political reforms during the turbulent period of the 19th century.

As the Portell surname spread beyond Spain, it found its way to other parts of Europe and the Americas. In the 19th century, a branch of the family settled in Cuba, where they became influential landowners and businessmen.

Throughout its history, the Portell surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, politicians, and military leaders. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Spain, the name has left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of many regions worldwide.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Portell

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Portell.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Portell was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Portell has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Portell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Portell, please contact us.

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