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 Forste family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Forste Family History

Forste Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Forster, Forte, Forst, Forse, Forsee, Fosse, Force, Fort, Borst

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Forste family from?

You can see how Forste families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Forste family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Forste families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 12 Forste families living in Durham. This was about 48% of all the recorded Forste's in United Kingdom. Durham had the highest population of Forste families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Forste 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 Forste ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Painter and Prac Nurse were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Forste. 28% of Forste men worked as a Painter and 100% of Forste women worked as a Prac Nurse.

View Census Data for Forste | 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

  • Painter
    28%
  • Farm Laborer
    19%
  • Printer
    19%
  • Truck Driver
    19%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Prac Nurse
    100%

What Forste family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Forste. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Forste census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Forste

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Forste. 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 Forste immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Forste. For the veterans among your Forste ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Forste military records

You've only scratched the surface of Forste family history

Discover More

What is the average Forste lifespan?

Between 1947 and 2004, in the United States, Forste life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1987, and highest in 1991. The average life expectancy for Forste in 1947 was 43, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Forste

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

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