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

Fores, 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 Fores surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fores in America

Fores is the 92719th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fores surname appeared 198 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 Fores.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fores 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 Fores

The surname FORES is believed to have its origins in Spain, where it likely emerged during the Middle Ages. One plausible theory suggests that the name is derived from the Catalan or Valencian word "fora," which means "outside" or "external." This could indicate that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived on the outskirts of a town or village.

Another possibility is that the name has roots in the Latin word "foris," which shares a similar meaning of "outside" or "abroad." During the Roman era, this term may have been used to describe individuals who resided beyond the boundaries of a particular settlement or region.

In some historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries, variations of the name, such as "Fores" and "Foras," can be found in various parts of Spain, particularly in regions like Catalonia and Valencia. This lends credence to the theory that the name originated in these areas.

One of the earliest documented references to the FORES surname can be found in the records of the town of Tortosa, located in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia. In a census from the year 1493, a certain Jaume Fores is listed as a resident of the town.

In the 16th century, there are mentions of a notable figure named Joan Fores (c. 1510-1580), a Catholic priest and theologian from Valencia. He was known for his work on the Council of Trent and his contributions to the theological debates of the time.

Another individual of note was Miquel Fores (c. 1570-1633), a Catalan sculptor and architect who was active during the Spanish Renaissance. He is renowned for his work on the altarpiece at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona.

In the realm of literature, there was a 17th-century Spanish writer named Gaspar Fores (c. 1620-1680), who hailed from Valencia. He is best known for his plays and poetry, which reflected the cultural and literary trends of the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

During the 18th century, a prominent figure named Josep Fores (1698-1772) made a name for himself as a prominent lawyer and jurist in Barcelona. He served as a magistrate and played a significant role in shaping the legal system of his time.

These examples demonstrate the historical presence of the FORES surname across various regions of Spain, particularly in Catalonia and Valencia, where it appears to have originated. The name has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including religious figures, artists, writers, and legal professionals, reflecting its enduring legacy throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fores

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

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 Fores 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 Fores 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 Fores was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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