Forster Surname

The History and Meaning of the Surname Forster

The surname Forster is a name steeped in history and tradition. With its origins dating back centuries, this surname has a rich and fascinating story to tell. In this article, we will explore the meaning of the surname Forster, its historical significance, and its prevalence in different countries around the world.

Meaning of the Surname Forster

The surname Forster is of English and German origin. In English, it is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word 'forestier,' meaning "a forest keeper" or "a warden of the forest." This indicates that the original bearers of the surname Forster were likely individuals who worked in or oversaw forests or wooded areas.

In German, the surname Forster is derived from the Middle High German word 'vorster,' which also means "forest warden" or "forest keeper." This suggests that the surname Forster was used to denote someone who held a similar position in a German-speaking region.

Overall, the meaning of the surname Forster reflects a deep connection to nature and the outdoors. It signifies a respect for the environment and an appreciation for the natural world.

Historical Significance of the Surname Forster

The surname Forster has a long and storied history, with records of its use dating back to medieval times. During this period, surnames were often based on a person's occupation, location, or personal characteristics. As such, the surname Forster likely originated as a way to identify individuals who worked in or lived near forests.

In England, the surname Forster is particularly prevalent in the northern regions, such as Northumberland and Yorkshire. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been associated with the management of the vast forests that once covered these areas.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Forster has been carried by individuals from all walks of life. From nobles and landowners to common folk and laborers, the name Forster has been passed down through generations, creating a tapestry of interconnected family histories.

Global Distribution of the Surname Forster

The surname Forster has a global presence, with significant numbers of individuals bearing this name in countries across the world. According to data, the highest incidences of the surname Forster are found in Germany, England, the United States, and Australia.

In Germany, the surname Forster is most commonly found, with over 18,000 individuals carrying this name. This reflects the strong historical ties of the surname to the German-speaking regions of Europe.

In England, the surname Forster is also prevalent, with over 15,000 individuals bearing this name. This highlights the enduring popularity and significance of the surname in English-speaking countries.

The United States and Australia also have significant numbers of individuals with the surname Forster, with over 13,000 and 6,600 individuals respectively. This demonstrates the widespread distribution of the surname across different continents and countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Forster is a name that carries a deep and enduring legacy. With its origins rooted in the natural world and its historical significance spanning centuries, the surname Forster is a symbol of connection to the land and a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship. As it continues to be passed down through generations, the surname Forster remains a testament to the shared heritage and diverse origins of people around the world.

The surname Forster in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is achievable to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The exact same happens in the case of Forster, which as you are able to corroborate, it can be said that it's a surname that can be found in most of the countries of this globe. In the same way there are nations in which certainly the thickness of individuals using the surname Forster is more than in other countries.

The map of the Forster surname

View Forster surname map

The chance of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Forster in the world, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves in the map, for a tangible country, we can understand tangible amount of people because of the surname Forster, to have in this way the precise information of all the Forster that you could presently find in that country. All this also assists us to understand not just in which the surname Forster arises from, but also in what way the folks that are initially an element of the family that bears the surname Forster have moved and moved. In the same way, you are able to see by which places they will have settled and developed, which is the reason why if Forster is our surname, it seems interesting to which other countries of the world it's possible this one of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Forster on earth

  1. Germany Germany (18849)
  2. England England (15513)
  3. United States United States (13013)
  4. Australia Australia (6600)
  5. Switzerland Switzerland (3928)
  6. Canada Canada (3276)
  7. Austria Austria (2792)
  8. Brazil Brazil (1860)
  9. France France (1169)
  10. South Africa South Africa (1160)
  11. New Zealand New Zealand (901)
  12. Scotland Scotland (679)
  13. Wales Wales (385)
  14. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (298)
  15. Suriname Suriname (237)
  16. Argentina Argentina (223)
  17. Spain Spain (211)
  18. Netherlands Netherlands (204)
  19. Hungary Hungary (180)
  20. Nigeria Nigeria (165)
  21. Ireland Ireland (130)
  22. Sweden Sweden (104)
  23. Belgium Belgium (102)
  24. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (100)
  25. Chile Chile (79)
  26. Singapore Singapore (77)
  27. Czech Republic Czech Republic (77)
  28. Japan Japan (54)
  29. Liberia Liberia (51)
  30. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (44)
  31. Senegal Senegal (44)
  32. Denmark Denmark (42)
  33. Russia Russia (41)
  34. Italy Italy (39)
  35. Jersey Jersey (34)
  36. Norway Norway (34)
  37. New Caledonia New Caledonia (31)
  38. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (30)
  39. Kuwait Kuwait (28)
  40. Isle of Man Isle of Man (28)
  41. Malta Malta (24)
  42. Croatia Croatia (24)
  43. Jamaica Jamaica (17)
  44. Falkland Islands Falkland Islands (16)
  45. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone (16)
  46. Paraguay Paraguay (15)
  47. Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (15)
  48. Slovenia Slovenia (15)
  49. Ghana Ghana (14)
  50. Malaysia Malaysia (14)
  51. Philippines Philippines (13)
  52. Mexico Mexico (13)
  53. Cyprus Cyprus (13)
  54. China China (12)
  55. Venezuela Venezuela (12)
  56. Ecuador Ecuador (11)
  57. Hong Kong Hong Kong (11)
  58. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (9)
  59. Estonia Estonia (8)
  60. Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands (8)
  61. Lebanon Lebanon (7)
  62. India India (6)
  63. Kenya Kenya (4)
  64. Poland Poland (4)
  65. Qatar Qatar (4)
  66. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (4)
  67. Turkey Turkey (4)
  68. Ukraine Ukraine (4)
  69. Zambia Zambia (3)
  70. South Korea South Korea (3)
  71. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (3)
  72. Saint Lucia Saint Lucia (3)
  73. Slovakia Slovakia (3)
  74. Transnistria Transnistria (3)
  75. Belarus Belarus (3)
  76. Gambia Gambia (3)
  77. Greece Greece (3)
  78. Thailand Thailand (3)
  79. Vietnam Vietnam (3)
  80. Egypt Egypt (2)
  81. Serbia Serbia (2)
  82. Luxembourg Luxembourg (2)
  83. Bahamas Bahamas (2)
  84. Ivory Coast Ivory Coast (2)
  85. Taiwan Taiwan (2)
  86. Malawi Malawi (2)
  87. Indonesia Indonesia (2)
  88. Cameroon Cameroon (2)
  89. Colombia Colombia (2)
  90. Panama Panama (1)
  91. Peru Peru (1)
  92. French Polynesia French Polynesia (1)
  93. Algeria Algeria (1)
  94. Cambodia Cambodia (1)
  95. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (1)
  96. Portugal Portugal (1)
  97. Albania Albania (1)
  98. Ethiopia Ethiopia (1)
  99. American Samoa American Samoa (1)
  100. Romania Romania (1)
  101. Finland Finland (1)
  102. Gabon Gabon (1)
  103. Bulgaria Bulgaria (1)
  104. Bermuda Bermuda (1)
  105. Bolivia Bolivia (1)
  106. Latvia Latvia (1)
  107. Monaco Monaco (1)
  108. Moldova Moldova (1)
  109. Botswana Botswana (1)
  110. Gibraltar Gibraltar (1)
  111. Montenegro Montenegro (1)
  112. Saint Martin Saint Martin (1)
  113. Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo (1)
  114. Guatemala Guatemala (1)
  115. Mongolia Mongolia (1)
  116. Maldives Maldives (1)
  117. Cook Islands Cook Islands (1)
  118. Tanzania Tanzania (1)
  119. Uganda Uganda (1)
  120. Namibia Namibia (1)
  121. Israel Israel (1)
  122. Uruguay Uruguay (1)
  123. Cuba Cuba (1)
  124. Iraq Iraq (1)
  125. Iran Iran (1)