I'm finding all of these postings very interesting. I live in DC, but I am from Columbia, SC. I am a Portee, and my family on my father's side is from Columbia. I don't find any of the first names familiar that have been mentioned. My grandfather grew up on Portee Alley (Slighs Avenue) in Columbia. I have cousins who are light as white and black as night.
Is is absolutely certain that Portee is French? My father did a family surname trace and the Portee orgin was not French. It was Norwegian. I would like to know more about the French orgin and the four brothers.