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

Fornah, 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 Fornah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fornah in America

Fornah is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fornah surname appeared 120 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 Fornah.

The history of the last name Fornah

The surname Fornah has its origins in Italy, with the earliest recorded references dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "forno," meaning "oven" or "furnace," suggesting that the name may have been an occupational surname for someone who worked in a bakery or with furnaces.

One of the earliest known references to the name Fornah can be found in a document from the city of Genoa in 1194, where a certain "Guglielmo Fornah" is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use in the northern regions of Italy during this period.

In the 13th century, the name appears in several records from the city of Florence, where a family by the name of Fornah seems to have been prominent. One notable member of this family was Giovanni Fornah, who was a respected merchant and served as a city councilor in Florence in 1275.

As the name spread across Italy, it underwent various spelling variations, including Fornari, Fornaretto, and Fornaciari. These variations often reflected regional dialects or the influence of other languages, such as French or Spanish, in areas where Italian merchants and traders had established communities.

In the 14th century, the name Fornah is mentioned in a document from the city of Venice, where a certain "Marco Fornah" is listed as a master glassblower. This suggests that the name may have also been associated with skilled artisans working with furnaces and ovens in various trades.

During the Renaissance period, several individuals with the surname Fornah achieved notable recognition. One such person was Antonio Fornah, a renowned painter from Siena who lived from 1460 to 1528. His works can still be found in churches and museums throughout Italy.

Another notable figure was Lucrezia Fornah, a celebrated poet and writer from Ferrara, who lived from 1498 to 1568. Her works were widely read and admired during her lifetime and provide a valuable glimpse into the literary circles of the Italian Renaissance.

In the 17th century, the Fornah family appears to have established a presence in Naples, where a certain Gian Battista Fornah was a respected lawyer and legal scholar. His treatises on Roman law were widely studied and influential in the legal circles of the time.

As the name spread beyond Italy, it also found its way into other European countries, such as France and Spain, where it was sometimes adapted to local spellings and pronunciations. For example, in France, the name may have been rendered as "Fornac" or "Forneau," while in Spain, it could have been "Forná" or "Fornada."

Throughout its history, the surname Fornah has been associated with various occupations, trades, and professions, from bakers and glassblowers to merchants, lawyers, and artists. Its enduring presence across centuries and regions reflects the rich cultural tapestry of Italy and the influence of Italian communities throughout Europe and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fornah

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

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 Fornah 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.

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

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

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