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Help[Facts] Pig Farmer..., Heiress...?
in reply to a message by portia
I did not see "ugly" in the etymology of PORCIUS > PORCIA > PORTIA.
It DID say that PORCIUS started off as a surname, that is, a family name. A major source for surnames was the patriarch's occupation. If this etymology is true, it indicates that the patriarch of that family was a "pig farmer," not "pig-like." That was (and is) a respectable business among the agricultural set (well, except from a Jewish perspective). See also http://surnames.behindthename.com/name/porcher
As a first name, it would also mean "pig farmer" (whether or not it is true for that person).
Alternatively, it could be related to:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=portion&searchmode=term
If so, it may be an acknowledgement that this daughter is "a full heiress to her parents' estate."
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." Ps. 127:4
JoHannah Jubilee, BenJudah Gabriel, Aaron Josiah, Jordan Uriah,
Maranatha Nissiah, (Anastasia Nike, 1992-1992), Jeshua David,
Shiloh Joshana, Elijah Daniel, Hezekiah Nathaniel, Zephaniah Joseph
It DID say that PORCIUS started off as a surname, that is, a family name. A major source for surnames was the patriarch's occupation. If this etymology is true, it indicates that the patriarch of that family was a "pig farmer," not "pig-like." That was (and is) a respectable business among the agricultural set (well, except from a Jewish perspective). See also http://surnames.behindthename.com/name/porcher
As a first name, it would also mean "pig farmer" (whether or not it is true for that person).
Alternatively, it could be related to:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=portion&searchmode=term
If so, it may be an acknowledgement that this daughter is "a full heiress to her parents' estate."
JoHannah Jubilee, BenJudah Gabriel, Aaron Josiah, Jordan Uriah,
Maranatha Nissiah, (Anastasia Nike, 1992-1992), Jeshua David,
Shiloh Joshana, Elijah Daniel, Hezekiah Nathaniel, Zephaniah Joseph
This message was edited 8/31/2014, 1:14 AM
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"From Latin portionem (nominative portio) "share, part," accusative of the noun in the phrase pro portione "according to the relation (of parts to each other)" (see proportion). From late 14c. in general sense of "section into which something is divided.""
Portia as a derivative of portio rather than Porcius actually makes a lot more sense. Not only does Portia more closely resemble portio but, for Shakespeare's purposes, the name could be a nod to the fact that his character inherited a full portion of her fathers estate. Additionally within the play while acting as a lawyer, Portia strove to ensure that Antonio was not punished with a sentence that was out of proportion to his crime. This should definitely be added as a possible meaning of the name.
Portia as a derivative of portio rather than Porcius actually makes a lot more sense. Not only does Portia more closely resemble portio but, for Shakespeare's purposes, the name could be a nod to the fact that his character inherited a full portion of her fathers estate. Additionally within the play while acting as a lawyer, Portia strove to ensure that Antonio was not punished with a sentence that was out of proportion to his crime. This should definitely be added as a possible meaning of the name.
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