Surname Forgey - Meaning and Origin

Forgey: What does the surname Forgey mean?

The last name Forgey is a topographical surname that originated in the area of Dunkerton in the English county of Somerset. It was originally derived from Old English words meaning “the open space near a ford”, referring to an area of low-lying ground where crossing a river or stream was possible, especially during dry spells. In medieval times, this open space would have been maintained by the local lord of the manor, creating commons in the area.

The meaning of the name Forgey was likely transferred to describing a person's occupation - a forger - who worked metal to create tools, weapons, and other useful items. By the 16th century, the name Forgey was common enough to become a hereditary surname amongst the people of Dunkerton and surrounding areas.

In modern contexts, people with the last name Forgey often trace their roots back to that area of Somerset. Due to the surname’s connection to metalworking, Forgey is also a popular choice of name for smithies, engineering firms, and other enterprises involved in forging or metalworking.

Forgey: Where does the name Forgey come from?

The last name Forgey is quite common in the United States, primarily in the Midwest. Forgey is an English surname with its primary origin in the Yorkshire county of Northern England. According to the 1990 US Census, the Forgey surname is most common in the state of Ohio, followed by Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, Illinois, and Kentucky.

In Ohio, the Forgey surname is most common in the counties of Adams, Auglaize, Butler, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Henry, Logan, Miami, Shelby, Union, and Warren. In Indiana, the surname can be found concentrated mainly in Grant, Jefferson, Jennings, and Wayne counties.

Furthermore, the Forgey surname can be found in numbers throughout Michigan, primarily in the counties of Emmet, Otsego, Midland, Calhoun, and Muskegon counties. In Illinois, the Forgey surname can be found mainly in Randolph and Macoupin counties. In Virginia, it is most common in Henry and Clarke counties, as well as in the alpine area of the country's western border. Finally, in Kentucky, it is concentrated mainly in Mason County.

Variations of the surname Forgey

The surname Forgey is a very old and popular surname of English origin. It is believed to derive from the Old English word "forg", meaning "a forge or smithy". As it spread across the British Isles, the family name took on a variety of spellings, from Forgey to Forgie, Farget and Forgill.

Today, some of the more common variants of Forgey are Fergie, Fargie, Forgie, Farguson, Fargyle, Forgayle, and Fohrge. Spelling variants such as Fergy and Furgey also appear in Northern Ireland, as well as variants Furgus and Fergus found in Scotland.

Other surnames of similar origin include Burgey, Bargy, Furgusson, Forgesson, Forgueson, Fargason and Farriss.

The Forgey surname can be a matronymic or patronymic. It is derived from the given name Fergus, derived from the Gaelic elements "fear" meaning "man" and "gus" meaning "force or strength".

In some cases, Forgey is a name taken on to remember a family's original home region. The origin of the Forgey surname may be found in various parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The Forgeys have been noted throughout history to be proud of their strong heritage. The name has been associated with aristocracy and culture since the medieval period. Members of the family have been found in some of the world''s greatest universities and civil service.

Famous people with the name Forgey

• Dr. John Forgey: American ophthalmologist who holds prominent positions in the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
• Jacob Forgey: American cinematographer with credits on a variety of television and movie projects.
• Michael Forgey: U.S. Army physician and executive who was a key figure in the implementation of the Army's Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Program.
• Paul Forgey: recognized American artist who specializes in black-and-white printmaking.
• Nathan Forgey: Award winning American visual artist whose works hang in museum collections around the world.
• Dennis Forgey: retired American soldier and major in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, as well as a professor at Clemson University.
• Steve Forgey: Emergency Room doctor at Good Samaritan Hospital in Nebraska.
• Eric Forgey: American stuntman, stunt coordinator, and director whose credits include “The Wild Wild West” and “The X-Files”.
• Erik Forgey: professional musician and music professor in Texas, best known for his Kirk Hammett Signature Series guitars.
• Justin Forgey: former college soccer player with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Other surnames

Forges