The Portman Baronetcy, of Orchard in the County of Somerset, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 25 November 1611 for John Portman. He was the grandson of Sir William Portman, Lord Chief Justice of England between 1555 and 1557. Sir William Portman acquired land in Marylebone, London, which - through the later housing developments of Henry William Portman, which turned it into the Portman Estate - is still the base of the Portman family wealth. The second Baronet sat as Member of Parliament for Somerset. The fourth and fifth Baronets both represented Taunton in the House of Commons. The sixth Baronet was Member of Parliament for both Taunton and Somerset. The title became extinct on his death in 1690.
The family estates passed under a settlement to Henry Seymour, fifth son of Sir Edward Seymour, 3rd Baronet, of Berry Pomeroy and Anne, the second daughter of Sir John Portman, 1st Baronet. He took the surname Portman, but left no issue. The property then devolved upon William Berkeley, of Pylle, who took the surname Portman. His great-grandson was Edward Berkeley Portman, Member of Parliament for Dorset, father of Edward Portman, 1st Viscount Portman. See Viscount Portman for later history of the family.[1]