Surname Forman - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Unexpected Ancestry Tales & Surprises with iGENEA DNA Test: The Forman Surname

Embarking on a quest to trace my ancestral lineage with the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered a world of historical and cultural knowledge that broke down assumptions and altered my understanding of my heritage. Friends, prepare yourself for an anecdote-rich journey centered around the Forman surname, featuring unexpected ancestry revelations, surprise historical events, and reassuring heritage discoveries. All these informed by a simple yet powerful tool, the iGENEA DNA test.

E. Forman

Forman: What does the surname Forman mean?

The last name Forman is an Anglo-Norman surname with Germanic roots. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English word foreman, which could mean either a supervisor or overseer of a manor estate, or the head of a small village or hamlet. The term foreman could also be applied to someone in military service or a man who had charge of a wagon train.

Today, Forman is commonly found among families with French, English, Irish, American, Canadian, and Jewish backgrounds, all of whom trace their surnames to the same etymological roots.

Forman is a common surname throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and other European countries. It may be found among many diverse cultural and ethnic groups. For instance, there are many people with Germanic and Jewish (Ashkenazic) roots who carry the surname Forman. The same can be said for those in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

Forman is a fairly common last name that reflects a proud history of its bearers. With its roots in Old English and French, the last name carries with it the legacy of strength, skill and duty. It also evokes strong ties to the varied cultures from which it has sprung, from French peasants to German warriors from long ago.

Forman: Where does the name Forman come from?

The surname Forman is commonly found throughout England and Scotland, as well as in the United States. In Britain, the surname is primarily concentrated in the counties of Midlothian, West Lothian, and Berwickshire. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, California, Florida, and North Carolina.

In England and Scotland, the surname Forman was usually given to people who were foremen of a manor or agricultural land. They were also given to people who held the office of a foreman in a corporation, such as a mercantile business or a military organization. The surname is derived from the Middle English term “foreman”, which means the head of a household or a community.

In the United States, the surname Forman was originally used by immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries who were seeking a new life in the New World. The name became popular among the descendants of Irish, German, and Dutch settlers who settled in the southeastern United States. Many of these early immigrants eventually settled in the port cities of Philadelphia and New York, which explains why the name is most commonly found in these two states.

Today, the surname Forman is also found in North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and other states across the United States. The surname is still used as a first or middle name for both men and women.

Variations of the surname Forman

Forman is a popular surname of British origin. It is derived from the Middle English word 'Forman', meaning farmer, foreman, or supervisor. It is also derived from a nickname for a man with a patriarchal, authoritative demeanour.

Variants of Forman include Forman, Formen, Formon, Furman, Furmen, Furmon, Fourman, and Fourmen. Spellings include Formen, Furman, Foreman, Foureman, Furmound, Fourmont, Foremark, Forimont.

Surnames with the same or similar origin to Forman include Farmer, Fielding, and Fillman.

Forman is historically derived from a Middle English word meaning foreman or farmer, due to the fact that this word was the most common job title among early English farmers and foremen. It is also derived from a nickname for someone with an authoritative demeanour.

Because of its popularity, Forman is quite common in Britain and other English-speaking countries, and variants of the name are found all over the world.

In more recent times, the Forman name has been linked to famous people such as former US ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Forman, American novelist Jon Forman, and English actor and comedian John Forman.

It is also linked to the title of the English novel 'The Forman', written by J.H. Forman.

Famous people with the name Forman

• Milos Forman- an internationally renowned Czech film director, screenwriter, actor, and professor.
• Lauren Forman: an American actress, primarily known for her work in television series such as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
• Russell Forman- an American writer, director, producer and songwriter who has been involved in film, television, theater and advertising.
• Kasey Forman- an Australian actress who starred in the Australian soap opera “Neighbours” and was also seen in period drama series “A Place to Call Home.”
• Olivia Forman- an American actress and model, who has appeared in television shows such as “Modern Family” and “Gossip Girl.”
• Jim Forman- an American baseball card collector/dealer and entrepreneur who has been featured in interviews and magazines such as Beckett Baseball Monthly.
• John Forman- an English journalist and author who wrote the book “Money and the Media” and “Inventing the Future.”
• Philip Forman- an American photographer and artist known for his portraits of celebrities and politicians.
• David Forman- an American historian, professor, and author of the book “Reformation of the Church in the 16th Century.”
• Abigail Forman- a British actress, writer, and producer, currently appearing in the BBC series “Call The Midwife.”

Other surnames

Formanek