Surname Furnes - Meaning and Origin

Furnes: What does the surname Furnes mean?

The last name Furnes is derived from the Old Norse word “fyrnes”, which means “a fortified house”. It is believed to have originated in Norway, where it was used to refer to fortified farms.

The use of the name may have spread to other European countries, especially those that experienced Viking invasions and colonization. As a result, the name Furnes is common in many places, such as Germany, England, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

At times, the name was also spelled “Vernes”, which means “hermitage”. It is possible that the two usages of the name were initially related, since hermitages were typically located far away from cities and settlements, similar to the isolated fortified farms of the Vikings.

Today, individuals with the last name Furnes typically have varied origins, since the surname is associated with several countries. It is thought to have been used by European nobility, either as a sign of wealth or power, or as a reminder of their descendants’ Viking roots.

The last name Furnes is a reminder of the past and powerful forces of the Vikings, and its continued use over centuries is a testament to its relevance and importance.

Furnes: Where does the name Furnes come from?

The last name Furnes is most common in Europe, particularly in Scandinavian countries. In Norway, the last name Furnes is among the ten most common last names, and some of the highest concentrations of the name are located in Hordaland in the Western part of the country. It is also popular in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, and further afield in other European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

The surname originated in Norway, where it was first recorded in the late 1200s as a patronymic form derived from the Old Norse personal name Fúrr. The meaning of the Old Norse name Fúrr is unclear, but it may have originated from the Latin word ‘furus’, meaning ‘birch’.

The Furnes family name has since spread to other parts of the world, with several variations, including Furneset, Furnesvoll, Furnesbakken, and Furnesmyr. The Furnes family has maintained a strong presence in Western Norway, and members have left their mark on the region’s history. During the early 1800s, several members of the Furnes family emigrated from Norway to the United States and Europe, and the family name continues to be widely found in several continents today.

Variations of the surname Furnes

The surname Furnes is derived from the Old French term furnes, meaning furnace. This surname can be found in various spellings and variants around the world, each of which have the same origin.

Common spellings of Furnes include Furneaux, Furniss, Furnice, Furnyce and Furniss.

In the United Kingdom, Furness is a popular spelling and is widely distributed throughout the country. Surrounding countries, such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, have their own versions with slight variations.

The Furnes surname is also found in the form of Fournes in France, Furno in Italy, and Fournes in Spain.

In the United States, Furnes is less common and variations seen most frequently are Furnace, Furnish, Furnishaw, Furney and Furneyx.

The spelling and variants of the Furnes surname are not exclusive. Additional surnames with the same origin include Furneaux-Brown, Furness-Jones, and Furnas.

In summary, the surname Furnes is derived from the Old French term for furnace and is found in various spellings and variants around the world. Common spellings include Furneaux, Furnice, Furnyce, Furniss, Furness, Fournes, Furno, Furnace, Furnish, Furnishaw, Furney and Furneyx. Additional surnames with the same origin include Furneaux-Brown, Furness-Jones, and Furnas.

Famous people with the name Furnes

• Hermann Furnes: Norwegian politician and Minister of Church Affairs in the period 1918–1920.
• Erland Furnes: Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party.
• Thenius Furnes: Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.
• John C. Furnes: American doctor from Michigan and medical teacher.
• Katy Furnes: American singer, songwriter and recording artist.
• Øistein Furnes: Norwegian politician and mayor of the municipality of Meland.
• Fredrik Furnes: Norwegian military officer and a pioneer of reserve officer training.
• Laura Furnes: Canadian figure skater.
• Halvor Furnes: Norwegian politician for the Centre Party.
• Edvard Furnes: Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.
• Odd Anderson Furnes: Norwegian civil engineer, and wartime leader for the resistance movement during World War II.
• Signe Furnes-Rein: Norwegian politician and member of the Norwegian Parliament.
• Hans Løken Furnes: Norwegian Increment builder and politician.
• Håvard Furnes: Norwegian professional golfer.
• Torstein Furnes: Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.
• Christian Furnes: Norwegian media personality and former Prime Ministerial Press secretary.
• Christian Uno Furnes: Norwegian economist and politician for the Labour Party.
• Erlend Furnes: Norwegian ski entrepreneur and author.

Other surnames

FurneauFurness