Forehan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Hundreds of years ago, the Gaelic name used by the Forehan family in Ireland was Ó Fuarain or in some records Ó Furanain.

Early Origins of the Forehan family

The surname Forehan was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they were firstly known as Macgiollarnath or Mac Gilla na Naomh, meaning 'son of the devotee of the saints', which, through mistranslation and time emerged as an off-shoot of the main Clan through a chieftain O'Fuarthain or O'Fuarain, which, in English, became Forehan.

Early History of the Forehan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forehan research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1355 and 1816 are included under the topic Early Forehan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forehan Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Forehan revealed many variations, including Foran, Forhane, Forahan, Forhan, Foreham and many more.

Early Notables of the Forehan family

More information is included under the topic Early Forehan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forehan migration to Canada +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Forehan:

Forehan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Patrick Forehan was a merchant in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1770 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Forehan (post 1700) +

Robert Forehan, Architect, New York State

The Forehan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Lucrum Christi mihi
Motto Translation: Without Christ, there is no light.

Citations +

Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0