Surname Forss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Forss: What does the surname Forss mean?
The last name Forss is of Scandinavian origin and translates to either "Forsen", meaning a waterfall or ravine, or "Forssberg" which means mountain pass.
The Forss family are believed to have descended from the Vikings, particularly from the Norse settlers in Scotland. The Norsemen frequently ventured into the Highlands of Scotland seeking new lands to conquer. One of the most notable locations they settled in was the Forss valley, where they created a settlement located close to what was then a powerful waterfall.
The place name Forss originates from the word ‘Odrfors’ which is the old Norse name for the waterfall. It was then used as a family name, a custom which was common among Viking settlers. Today the name has been anglicized and is commonly found throughout Scandinavia, the UK and parts of the USA.
The Forss family crest is believed to feature a fox nestled amongst three fir trees. This reflects the family’s strong beliefs in working hard to protect their land, which was most likely done through fox hunting. Traditionally, the Forss family were a noble family and they embody a spirit of hard work, selflessness and loyalty to their family name and traditions. As such, the surname Forss symbolizes a proud and noble heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisForss: Where does the name Forss come from?
The last name Forss is most common in Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it is the 78th most common surname. It is also fairly common in Finland, where it is the 217th most common surname.
The name Forss is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the name Fors (also Fores, or Fosse), which means a stream of water, indicating the family likely lived near a stream or river.
In the United States, the name Forss is less common. The 2000 United States Census Bureau lists around 5,000 people with this name. It is more popular in places that have a lot of Scandinavian immigrants, such as Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota.
Interestingly, the United Kingdom actually has the highest number of Forsses outside of the Scandinavian region. The name is very uncommon in England, making up less than 0.005% of the population, but is more common in Scotland and Wales, where it makes up around 0.01-0.02% of the population.
Overall, the Forss family name is most common in Scandinavian countries, and is slowly making its way to other parts of the world through immigration.
Variations of the surname Forss
The surname Forss is derived from Old Norse and means "small forest," or "brushland." Variant spellings of Forss include Fors, Forseth, Fross, Frosseth, Fros, and Froseth.
Forss is a patronymic surname, meaning that the surname was derived from the father's given name. Therefore, it is common to find alternate spellings of the original surname, due to names being spelled differently in different regions or by different families.
Variants of Forss can be found throughout Scandinavia, including Norway, Denmark and Sweden. In Norway, these variants are found as Fors, Forss, Fros, Fross, and Frosseth. In Denmark, variants of Forss are found as Forseth, Frosseth, and Froseth.
In Sweden, the surname Forss is much rarer than in other Scandinavian countries. Common variants of the name are Fors, Forseth, and Forse.
Forss is also a common surname in Finland, where it dates back to the 16th century. Alternate spellings found here include Fors, Forssi, and Frossi.
In addition, the surname Forss can be found in North America as both Forseth and Froseth.
The surname Forss is a unique and varied surname with many origins and spellings in different countries.
Famous people with the name Forss
- Oscar Forss: Swedish singer-songwriter
- Eric Forss: Swedish professional golfer
- Emmylou Forss: Swedish model
- Carl Forss: Swedish footballer
- Jessica Forss: Swedish television presenter
- Hans Forss: Swedish actor
- Wilhelmina Forss: Swedish historical professor
- Janne Forss: Finnish professional football coach
- Marika Forss: Finnish professional basketball player
- William Forss: Finnish artist and sculptor
- Jorma Forss: Finnish poet and writer
- Johannes Forss: Finnish beverage chemist
- Ana Forss: Finnish model and designer