Surname Forde - Meaning and Origin
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Forde: What does the surname Forde mean?
The surname Forde is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a habitational name derived from various places called Ford, Forda, Forde, or similar variations. The word "ford" in old English means 'a shallow part of a river or stream where people could cross'. Therefore, the surname denotes someone who resided near such a geographic feature. This was a practical way of identifying individuals in early centuries. Some families, over time, may have even adopted such names to suggest land ownership, or local administrative responsibilities associated with a particular location. The surname has multiple variations, including Ford, Foord, and Foorde among others. People with this surname can be found in significant numbers in England, Ireland, United States, Australia, and other English-speaking nations.
Order DNA origin analysisForde: Where does the name Forde come from?
The last name Forde is of English and Irish origin. In England, the name is derived from Middle English "ford," referring to a shallow river crossing, and was often given to someone who lived near such a landmark. In Ireland, it is generally an adaptation of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Naomh, meaning "son of the devotee of the saints."
In terms of its prevalence today, the surname Forde is found in moderate numbers throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, with the highest densities in Ireland, particularly in County Galway. It is also found in countries receiving large numbers of immigrants from these places, such as Australia and Canada. However, the use of surnames is much less common in Iceland, where people often use patronymics (names based on the father's first name) instead, making Forde an uncommon name there. It is interesting to note that surname distributions can change dramatically over relatively short periods of historical time due to patterns of migration, cultural blending, and other demographic changes.
Variations of the surname Forde
The surname Forde has multiple variants and spellings, relating to its cultural and geographical roots. Some of the variations include Ford, Foord, Foorde, Fording, and Fourd. More complex versions involve additional suffixes like Fordham, Fordon, or prefixes, such as Byford, Twyford.
These have evolved due to linguistic differences and transcription errors over time. The surname "Ford" is the most common variant, stripping the 'e' at the end. "Foord" is another popular variant which may have originated due to phonetic spelling.
Surnames like Fordham and Fordon also tie directly into geographical locations, so individuals from these areas may have adopted these versions of the surname.
Forde and its variants can also be found as a prefix in Irish surnames like O'Forde or MacForde, indicating "descendent of Forde". This reflects the popularity of the name within the British Isles, and its incorporation into the Gaelic naming conventions.
Moreover, due to migration and globalization, these surname variants can be found worldwide, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Forde
- Ruth Forde: Former Senator and Governor of Barbados.
- Steven Forde: An Australian professional rugby league footballer.
- Gordon Forde: Lawyer and businessperson from Barbados.
- Derek Forde: Former Irish footballer.
- Tom Forde: An actor known for his roles in Jumpin' Jack Flash, The Big Easy, and Ruthless People.
- Matt Forde: British comedian and writer.
- Felicia Forde: A Trinidadian former cricketer.
- Alicia Forde: American Actress known for Dumbbells and The Martini Shot.
- Graham Forde: A former Australian rules footballer.
- Glenn Forde: Former Barbados footballer.
- Den Forde: A former Dutch footballer.
- Bud Forde: A former American baseball player.
- Yseult Forde: An actress and producer known for Buddy Faro and Hurricane Festival.
- Greg Forde: A former Guyanese cricketer.
- Shaun Forde: An actor known for his role in The Recall.
- Darren Forde: An Irish hurler.