Surname Forney - Meaning and Origin

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C. Forney

Forney: What does the surname Forney mean?

The surname Forney is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "fornier", meaning "baker" or "oven tender". It was traditionally an occupational surname given to individuals who worked in a bakery or was responsible for tending to a communal oven. The name might have been associated with the baking profession, involved in either baking bread, pastries or other food items. Thus, someone bearing the surname Forney would have been understood to be associated with the profession. Over time, like many surnames, it became hereditary and was passed down from generation to generation, irrespective of a person's profession. This surname has various spelling variations such as Fournier, Fournaux, Fournée, and others.

Forney: Where does the name Forney come from?

The surname Forney is of French origin, derived from the word "fourney", referring to an oven or a kiln. It is an occupational surname given to someone who worked in a furnace or kiln, often involved in the smelting or forging of iron. This suggests origins from a time when surnames were often related to individuals' occupations.

Today, the surname is most commonly found in the United States, with a particular concentration in the state of Pennsylvania, which has a history of iron and steel production. While the largest number of individuals bearing this name are based in the United States, it can also be found in smaller numbers across other English-speaking regions such as Canada, England, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Forney

The surname Forney is primarily of Anglo-Saxon descent, originating from the personal name Forney or Forn. Over the years, due to regional variations and phonetic spellings, it has evolved into various forms. Common variants include Furney, Fornie, Fornay, Fornye and Forni. Moreover, surnames like Farney, Farnie, Farny and Ferney have a similar phonetic pronunciation and may also be considered as variant spellings.

On the other hand, the surname Forney also appears among French-speaking people, often linked to geographical locations, such as Forney in the department of Ardennes, France. The French variant is often spelled as Fournier.

In addition, it's not uncommon for names to get recorded incorrectly in historical documents, leading to further variations. Hence, while researching genealogy, it might be helpful to consider alternate spellings like Forne, Forny, Fowney, Foreny, Foren, Foreney and Fourny.

As the surname has evolved and spread across different continents over centuries, its variations may have acquired unique local influences, so this list might not be exhaustive.

Famous people with the name Forney

• Jessica Forney: A well-known American professional lacrosse player.
• John Wien Forney: A prominent American journalist who also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
• Peter Forney: An early American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from North Carolina in the early 19th century.
• Jacob Forney: Another politician from the Forney family who served as a U.S. Representative from North Carolina in the late 19th century.
• Daniel M. Forney: He was also a U.S. Representative from North Carolina and was the son of Peter Forney.
• Myles Forney: An American football player who played for the team Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
• William H. Forney: An American politician, he was a US Representative from Alabama and a Confederate general during the Civil War.
• John Horace Forney: Brother to William H. Forney, he was also a general in the Confederate Army.
• Robert Forney: A retired Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps.
• Jonathan Forney: A professional League of Legends eSports player known by his in-game name "Grig".
• Michael J. Forney: An American snowmobile racing driver.
• Sue E. Forney: An American medical technologist and cytotechnologist.

Other surnames

Fornefett