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

Fortanel, 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 Fortanel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fortanel in America

Fortanel is the 103181st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fortanel surname appeared 174 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 Fortanel.

The history of the last name Fortanel

The surname Fortanel originated in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "fortis," meaning "strong" or "brave," and the diminutive suffix "-el," suggesting a connection to a place name or personal characteristic.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fortanel dates back to the 13th century, when it appeared in a document from the town of Asti, located in the Piedmont region. This document mentions a certain Guglielmo Fortanel, who was a prominent landowner and merchant.

In the 14th century, the Fortanel family played a significant role in the political and economic affairs of the Piedmont region. Giovanni Fortanel (1320-1384) was a respected diplomat and advisor to the Count of Savoy, while his son, Pietro Fortanel (1352-1418), was a successful banker and financier.

During the Renaissance, the Fortanel name gained further prominence with the birth of Francesco Fortanel (1482-1551), a renowned artist and architect who worked in various Italian cities, including Turin and Milan. His masterpiece, the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Asti, is still considered a remarkable example of Renaissance architecture.

In the 17th century, the Fortanel family established a strong presence in the Langhe region, known for its vineyards and wine production. Giacomo Fortanel (1612-1678) was a respected winemaker and landowner, responsible for establishing the family's reputation in the industry.

Another notable figure bearing the Fortanel surname was Maria Fortanel (1754-1842), a philanthropist and patron of the arts who supported numerous cultural institutions and artists in Piedmont during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

While the Fortanel name has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, the earliest recorded examples and most significant historical figures associated with this surname can be traced back to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fortanel

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

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

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

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