Surname Forsey - Meaning and Origin
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Forsey: What does the surname Forsey mean?
The surname Forsey is of English origin and it's derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "Furhesege" which means "fir island". It is a locational surname and traditionally, it is believed that such surnames were often taken by those who had to migrate from their birthplace to find work, and were thereafter identified by the name of their birthplace. Over time, the name might have changed due various regional dialects and accents.
The surname Forsey appears in various documents throughout history including the Curia Regis Rolls of Somerset in 1206 and the Assize Court Rolls of Somerset in 1243. It is important to note that early surnames were often recorded as their bearer pronounced them, leading to many variations in spelling over time. Other variations of Forsey include Forseye, Foursey, and Forces.
However, it's important to understand that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings, evolving over centuries, and the interpretation of the meaning could change based on regional, cultural, or societal shifts. Therefore, this interpretation of the surname Forsey may not apply to all individuals with this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisForsey: Where does the name Forsey come from?
The surname Forsey is of Anglo-Saxon origin that originated in England. This surname is a variant of Fursy, a given name which is a diminutive of the Old English pre 7th Century personal name 'Fursey', which is itself derived from the Old French 'Fursi'. This name is believed to have been introduced into England by the Normans after the 1066 invasion. The meaning of 'Fursey' or 'Fursi' is not exactly known, but it is speculated to mean "virtue" or "wisdom”.
The surname Forsey first appeared in Devon in the South West of England. The name was particularly common in the county of Dorset and many villages there have recorded evidence of residents with the Forsey surname as far back as the 16th and 17th centuries.
Today, this surname may not be that common but you can find people with this last name in various parts of the world which include United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand. However, it is still more prevalent in the United Kingdom, particularly in the South West region, including its place of origin, Devon.
Variations of the surname Forsey
The surname Forsey is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the establishment of the Families of Fursay and Forsay in the 14th century. Its variations and similar surnames include Forseyth, Forsay, Fursay, Foresay, Forcy, Forsythe, Forsith, Forsithe, and Forsett.
The alternate spellings can be attributed to changes over the centuries that resulted from a variety of factors including phonetic spelling by clerks and scribes, regional dialects, and linguistic evolution.
It's important to note that the variants Forsythe, Forsett, and Forsith are quite common, especially in regions like Scotland and Northern Ireland. Forsythe, for instance, is a prevalent spelling in Scotland.
Moreover, many English surnames have evolved and branched into different variants over time, with some people choosing to adopt a different spelling to distinguish their branch of the family, or due to immigration and naturalization in different countries, where spelling and pronunciation adjustments were made to adapt to the local language. Thus, it's possible that there may be other variants of the Forsey surname in existence today, particularly amongst communities of English descent around the world.
Famous people with the name Forsey
- Keith Forsey: He is an English film composer, known for "Beverly Hills Cop", "The Breakfast Club", and "Flashdance".
- Malcolm Forsey: He was a New Zealand politician, a member of the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2009 was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community service.
- Luke Forsey: He is a British musician who played piano and guitar in the rock band The Servant, active from 1998 to 2007.
- Susan Forsey: A Canadian actress, who is best known for her role as Jennifer Eaton in the television series "Street Legal".
- Roz Frase: Born Rosalind Forsey, she is an American television writer known for various soap operas.
- George Forsey: Is an Australian rules footballer, recognised for his participation in various championships.
- Stephen Forsey: He is a well-known British watchmaker, the co-founder of Greubel Forsey.
- Glenn Forsey: A field hockey player from Canada, having represented his country in two Olympics.
- Lauren Forsey: She is an actor and director, known for TV series "Death Valley". Please note some of these could be minor celebrities.