Forden

Forden is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is locational, deriving from the village of Forden in Montgomeryshire, Wales. The village's name comes from the Welsh word "Ffordun," which means "a road amongst the hills".

Origins and History

The Forden surname can be traced back to the medieval period in England and Wales. It is believed that families adopted this surname after residing in or having ancestral connections to the village of Forden. Over time, individuals with the surname Forden migrated to different parts of the United Kingdom and beyond, leading to the dispersion of the name.

Notable Individuals

  • John Forden: An 18th-century poet known for his lyrical works inspired by rural life in Wales.
  • Margaret Forden: A renowned historian specialising in the social history of Montgomeryshire.

Distribution

Today, the Forden surname can be found across the United Kingdom and in areas with historical ties to Wales. Individuals bearing this surname have also spread to other English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants and Derivatives

Variants of the Forden surname include Fordin, Fordun, and Fordyn. These variations may have emerged over time due to dialectal differences or changes in pronunciation in different regions.

Coat of Arms

The Forden family crest typically features imagery associated with the village of Forden and its landscape, such as hills, roads, or natural elements. Coat of arms designs can vary depending on the specific branch of the family.

There are approximately 142 people named Forden in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Forden.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Daniel
  • David
  • Edward
  • Gary
  • John
  • Kenneth
  • Kenton
  • Michael
  • Neil
  • Paul
  • Stephen

Female

  • Angela
  • Anna
  • Christine
  • Georgina
  • Joanne
  • Kathleen
  • Nicola
  • Ruth
  • Sharon
  • Stacey

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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