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

Fortgang, 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 Fortgang surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fortgang in America

Fortgang is the 95955th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fortgang surname appeared 190 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 Fortgang.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fortgang 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 Fortgang

The surname Fortgang is of German origin, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria, derived from the German words "fort" meaning "forward" and "gang" meaning "walk" or "journey." This combination suggests the name may have been given to someone who was constantly on the move or traveled frequently.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fortgang can be found in the town archives of Nuremberg, where a merchant named Hans Fortgang was mentioned in a business ledger from 1587. This document provides evidence that the name was already in use during the late Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the Fortgang name appears in several church records from the villages surrounding Munich. These records indicate that the name was particularly prevalent in rural areas of Bavaria, likely due to the agricultural nature of the region at that time.

During the 18th century, a notable figure bearing the Fortgang surname was Johann Fortgang, a respected clockmaker who lived in the city of Augsburg from 1712 to 1784. His intricate timepieces were sought after by wealthy patrons throughout Europe, and some of his works are still preserved in museums today.

As the 19th century dawned, the Fortgang name began to spread beyond the borders of Germany. In 1823, a young man named Karl Fortgang emigrated from Bavaria to the United States, where he settled in the city of Philadelphia. He is believed to be one of the earliest Fortgangs to establish a family lineage in America.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Fortgang was Wilhelm Fortgang, a German philosopher and professor who lived from 1838 to 1915. He taught at the University of Berlin and wrote extensively on the subjects of ethics and moral philosophy, leaving a lasting impact on the academic world.

Throughout the 20th century, the Fortgang name continued to be carried by individuals from various professions and walks of life. One such person was Hans Fortgang, a German-born artist who lived from 1912 to 1996. He was known for his abstract expressionist paintings and had several exhibitions in prominent galleries across Europe and North America.

While the surname Fortgang may not be among the most common in the world, it has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From its humble beginnings in the Bavarian countryside to its presence in modern times, the name has endured as a testament to the perseverance and resilience of those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fortgang

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

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

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

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