This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Forbs family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Forbs Family History

Forbs Surname Meaning

see Forbes.

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


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Forbs family from?

You can see how Forbs families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Forbs family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Forbs families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 10 Forbs families living in Yorkshire. This was about 50% of all the recorded Forbs's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Forbs families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Forbs surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Forbs ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housework were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Forbs. 36% of Forbs men worked as a Laborer and 25% of Forbs women worked as a Housework. Some less common occupations for Americans named Forbs were Truck Driver and Clerk.

View Census Data for Forbs | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    36%
  • Farmer
    26%
  • Painter
    10%
  • Truck Driver
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housework
    25%
  • Teacher
    19%
  • Laborer
    19%
  • Clerk
    13%

What Forbs family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 9,000 census records available for the last name Forbs. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Forbs census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Forbs

Passenger Lists

There are 237 immigration records available for the last name Forbs. 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 Forbs immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 977 military records available for the last name Forbs. For the veterans among your Forbs ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Forbs military records

You've only scratched the surface of Forbs family history

Discover More

What is the average Forbs lifespan?

Between 1969 and 2004, in the United States, Forbs life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1997, and highest in 1970. The average life expectancy for Forbs in 1969 was 75, and 60 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Forbs

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Forbs 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 Forbs family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial