UK surname
A surname derived from the French "fort" meaning strong or vigorous.
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Forter surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Hull Holy Trinity and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Forter is 963 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.4%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1861
963 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Forter surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Forter surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 286 | #7,933 |
| 1861 | historical | 963 | #2,890 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 957 | #4,323 |
| 1901 | historical | 59 | #27,609 |
| 1911 | historical | 231 | #13,636 |
| 1997 | modern | 62 | #31,412 |
| 1998 | modern | 42 | #33,651 |
| 1999 | modern | 41 | #33,866 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 5 | #38,027 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Hull Holy Trinity, St Pancras, St Marylebone and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Forter surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Forter, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Forter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Forter household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Forter is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Forter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Forter, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Forter is believed to have its origins in France, dating back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is likely derived from the Old French word "fort," meaning strong or fort. This, combined with the suffix "er," would have described someone associated with or living near a fort or stronghold.
Forter was originally found in regions of northern France, such as Normandy and Brittany. These areas were known for their fortifications and castles, which were significant during the Hundred Years' War. The surname may have referred to individuals who lived in or worked at these fortifications. Early variations of the name included Forthier and Fortier, reflecting the phonetic changes in the language over time.
Historical references to the name can be found in various medieval manuscripts and registries. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in a 1296 tax record from Normandy, listing a Robert Forter who was a landowner. The name also appears in the parish records of the 14th and 15th centuries in Brittany, with variations such as Fortier.
One notable individual with the surname was Jean Forter (1389-1447), a knight who served during the latter part of the Hundred Years' War. His name is mentioned in a military dispatch from 1425, referencing his bravery in battle. Another significant figure was Marie Forter (1510-1588), a French poet whose works contributed to the broader fabric of Renaissance literature.
In England, the name appears after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Records from the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, mention a certain Guillaume Fortier who was granted lands in Kent by William the Conqueror. This suggests a migration of the name from France to England, carried by Norman knights.
The surname Forter also made its way to Scotland. Alexander Forter (1623-1692), recorded in the annals of the Clan MacFarlane, was a noted merchant in the city of Glasgow. His descendant, James Forter (1656-1723), became a prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, contributing to various scientific societies.
In summary, the Forter surname has a rich history rooted in medieval Europe, with significant ties to both France and England. It appears in important historical records and is associated with notable individuals who played pivotal roles in their respective fields. The name's evolution over time reflects the broader historical and linguistic changes in the regions where it was found.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Forter surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 6 Forters recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.65x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 6 Forters recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.72x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 6 | 50.72x |
| Lyndon | 4 | 40000.00x |
| Bedlington | 2 | 217.39x |
| Brighton | 2 | 31.75x |
| Bruisyard | 2 | 10000.00x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 17.92x |
| Islington London | 1 | 5.57x |
| Winkfield | 1 | 434.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Forter surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Forter surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Forter households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| (Inn Serv) | 1 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Coal Mine Banksman | 1 |
| Coal Mine Banksman Wife | 1 |
| Cook (ND) | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Laundry Maid | 1 |
| Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| Nurse Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Retired Carpenter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Forter surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Forter a modern rank of #38,110.
A surname derived from the French "fort" meaning strong or vigorous.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Forter bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.