Show ContentsFornier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Fornier has a long French heritage that first began in southern region of Languedoc. The name is derived from when the family lived in Languedoc.

Early Origins of the Fornier family

The surname Fornier was first found in Languedoc, where the family held a family seat since ancient times.

Early History of the Fornier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fornier research. Another 470 words (34 lines of text) covering the years 1271, 1317, 1342, 1452, 1525, 1533, 1575, 1578, 1624, 1630, 1650, 1652, 1709, 1712, 1713, 1768, 1820 and 1830 are included under the topic Early Fornier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fornier Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Fornier is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Fornier, Forniest, Forniez, Forniée, Fournier, Fournié, de Fournier, Fourney, de Fornier, Forner and many more.

Early Notables of the Fornier family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • Jean-François-Gaspard, Viscount Fornier of Clauzelles, Councillor General of Ariège, Deputy of Ariège and a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Honoré Caille, seigneur du Fourny (1630-1713) was a French g...

Migration of the Fornier family

France was active as a cultural leader in the early 16th century. One particular area in which they lead was the exploration of the New World. The explorers, like Jacques Cartier in 1534, led the way to North America. Champlain, in 1608, made the first of twenty voyages to France to attract settlers and brought the first migrant in 1617. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec, and the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Fornier has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Fornier were Martin Forner settled in Philadelphia in 1748; William Forner settled in Philadelphia in 1852; Lewis Forner settled in Philadelphia in 1866; Honoré.


Contemporary Notables of the name Fornier (post 1700) +

  • Richard Charles Fornier, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 14th District, 1994 1
  • Dominique Casimir Fornier de Valaurie, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 2
  • Gaspard Hilarion Fornier d'Albe, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 3
  • Henri Jules Fornier, Automobile Dealer, Knight of the Legion of Honour, Marseille
  • Albert Philippe Fornier, Tradesman, Athènes


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  2. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 4) Dominique Fornier. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
  3. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 4) Gaspard Fornier. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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