Fortescue Surname

The Origins of the Fortescue Surname

The surname Fortescue is of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the Old French words "fort" meaning strong, and "escu" meaning shield. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who was known for their strength and prowess in battle. The first recorded use of the surname was in the 12th century in England, during the Norman Conquest.

Fortescue in England

England has the highest incidence of the Fortescue surname, with 525 individuals bearing the name. The Fortescue family has a long and illustrious history in England, with the name being associated with nobility and landed gentry. The most famous member of the Fortescue family is Sir John Fortescue, a 15th-century statesman and writer who served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench.

Over the centuries, the Fortescue family has held titles such as Baron Fortescue and Earl Fortescue, and has been closely linked to the British royal family. Today, there are still numerous individuals in England who bear the Fortescue surname and carry on the family's legacy.

Fortescue in the United States

In the United States, there are 255 individuals with the surname Fortescue. The Fortescue family first came to America in the 17th century, with John Fortescue being one of the early settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Fortescue name has been present in American history, with notable figures such as William Fortescue, a businessman and philanthropist who made a significant impact on the development of the railroad industry.

Today, the Fortescue surname is still found in various parts of the United States, with descendants of the original settlers carrying on the family name and traditions.

Fortescue Around the World

Aside from England and the United States, the Fortescue surname is also present in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and Zimbabwe. In Australia, there are 242 individuals with the Fortescue surname, while in New Zealand, there are 32 individuals.

South Africa has 24 individuals with the Fortescue surname, while Canada has 21. In Zimbabwe, there are 11 individuals, showing that the Fortescue name has spread far and wide across the globe.

Notable Individuals with the Fortescue Surname

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the Fortescue surname who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. One such individual is Lucy Fortescue, a pioneering British doctor who was instrumental in the development of modern nursing practices.

Another notable figure is Sir Adrian Fortescue, an English knight and nobleman who was martyred for his Catholic faith during the reign of King Henry VIII. Sir Adrian is now recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Additionally, there have been several Fortescue family members who have excelled in the fields of art, literature, and science, leaving behind a lasting legacy for future generations to admire.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Fortescue surname has a rich and varied history, with its origins dating back to the Norman Conquest of England. The name has been associated with nobility, strength, and honor, and has spread to various countries around the world.

The surname Fortescue into the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The exact same takes place when it comes to Fortescue, which as you're able to corroborate, it may be stated that it is a surname that may be present in a lot of the nations associated with the world. In the same way you can find countries by which truly the density of individuals aided by the surname Fortescue is more than far away.

The map associated with the Fortescue surname

View Fortescue surname map

The chance of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Fortescue in the world, assists us a great deal. By placing ourselves regarding the map, on a concrete nation, we could see the concrete amount of people utilizing the surname Fortescue, to acquire in this way the particular information of the many Fortescue as you are able to currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to know not only where the surname Fortescue comes from, but also in what manner individuals who're originally part of the household that bears the surname Fortescue have relocated and relocated. In the same manner, it is possible to see in which places they've settled and grown up, which is why if Fortescue is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations regarding the globe it's possible any particular one of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Fortescue on the planet

  1. England England (525)
  2. United States United States (255)
  3. Australia Australia (242)
  4. New Zealand New Zealand (32)
  5. South Africa South Africa (24)
  6. Canada Canada (21)
  7. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (11)
  8. Wales Wales (9)
  9. Norway Norway (5)
  10. Scotland Scotland (4)
  11. Malaysia Malaysia (4)
  12. Thailand Thailand (4)
  13. France France (3)
  14. Belgium Belgium (2)
  15. Italy Italy (2)
  16. Russia Russia (2)
  17. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (1)
  18. Switzerland Switzerland (1)
  19. China China (1)
  20. Colombia Colombia (1)
  21. Denmark Denmark (1)
  22. Iceland Iceland (1)
  23. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (1)
  24. Netherlands Netherlands (1)
  25. Sweden Sweden (1)