Forren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the Forren family

The surname Forren 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 Forren.

Early History of the Forren family

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

Forren Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Forren family name include Foran, Forhane, Forahan, Forhan, Foreham and many more.

Early Notables of the Forren family

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

Forren migration to the United States +

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Forren to North America:

Forren Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Andrew Forren, aged 22, who immigrated to America from U. S., in 1907

Contemporary Notables of the name Forren (post 1700) +

Vegard Forren (b. 1988), Norwegian footballer

The Forren 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.