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

Förter, 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 Förter surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Förter in America

Förter is the 114166th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Förter surname appeared 142 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Förter.

The history of the last name Förter

The surname Forter is believed to have its origins in France, dating back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is likely derived from the Old French word "fort," meaning strong or fort. This, combined with the suffix "er," would have described someone associated with or living near a fort or stronghold.

Forter was originally found in regions of northern France, such as Normandy and Brittany. These areas were known for their fortifications and castles, which were significant during the Hundred Years' War. The surname may have referred to individuals who lived in or worked at these fortifications. Early variations of the name included Forthier and Fortier, reflecting the phonetic changes in the language over time.

Historical references to the name can be found in various medieval manuscripts and registries. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in a 1296 tax record from Normandy, listing a Robert Forter who was a landowner. The name also appears in the parish records of the 14th and 15th centuries in Brittany, with variations such as Fortier.

One notable individual with the surname was Jean Forter (1389-1447), a knight who served during the latter part of the Hundred Years' War. His name is mentioned in a military dispatch from 1425, referencing his bravery in battle. Another significant figure was Marie Forter (1510-1588), a French poet whose works contributed to the broader fabric of Renaissance literature.

In England, the name appears after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Records from the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, mention a certain Guillaume Fortier who was granted lands in Kent by William the Conqueror. This suggests a migration of the name from France to England, carried by Norman knights.

The surname Forter also made its way to Scotland. Alexander Forter (1623-1692), recorded in the annals of the Clan MacFarlane, was a noted merchant in the city of Glasgow. His descendant, James Forter (1656-1723), became a prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, contributing to various scientific societies.

In summary, the Forter surname has a rich history rooted in medieval Europe, with significant ties to both France and England. It appears in important historical records and is associated with notable individuals who played pivotal roles in their respective fields. The name's evolution over time reflects the broader historical and linguistic changes in the regions where it was found.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Förter

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Förter 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 Förter was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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