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Forfar Family History

Forfar Surname Meaning

from Forfar (Angus). The ancient place-name is difficult but may consist of the Gaelic prefix for- ‘above’ or ‘big’ perhaps ‘projecting’.

It is possible that the name indicates a prominent location or feature in the landscape.

The term farr refers to ‘post prop’, which suggests a connection to a support or structure.

Understanding the etymology of place-names like Forfar can provide insights into the history and geography of the area.

Overall, the name reflects the rich linguistic heritage of the region, combining Gaelic roots with descriptive elements.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Forfar family from?

You can see how Forfar families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Forfar family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Forfar families were found in and Scotland in 1841. In 1891 there were 12 Forfar families living in Hampshire. This was about 25% of all the recorded Forfar's in United Kingdom. Hampshire had the highest population of Forfar families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Forfar surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Forfar ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Forfar. 100% of Forfar women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Forfar | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    100%

What Forfar family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Forfar. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Forfar census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Forfar

Passenger Lists

There are 579 immigration records available for the last name Forfar. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Forfar immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 270 military records available for the last name Forfar. For the veterans among your Forfar ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Forfar military records

You've only scratched the surface of Forfar family history

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What is the average Forfar lifespan?

Between 1971 and 2004, in the United States, Forfar life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1977, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Forfar in 1971 was 65, and 100 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Forfar

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Forfar ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Forfar family tree

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