| {{ad}} |
|
|
|
The ancient name Forker was first used by the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is derived from the Gaelic MacFhearchair which means son of Farquhar and Farquhar is derived from the Gaelic word Fearchar which means very dear one. So, the name means son of the very dear one. 1 2
The surname Forker was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they have enjoyed their seat at Kyle Stewart for many generations. The history is quite separate from that of Farquharson.
Robert Farquhar, Laird of Gilmilnescroft about the year 1350 was the first Chief on record and he was probably a direct descendant of Ferchart, father of Fergus, one of the chiefs setting the bounds of Newbattle Abbey in 1178. Descended was Ferkar, Earl of Ross, 1224-1231, and at this time a branch was started in the north at Caithness at Ederlarg. 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forker research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1445, 1646, 1677, 1699, 1706, 1707, 1751, 1774, 1813, 1818, 1819, 1823, 1826 and 1839 are included under the topic Early Forker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Forker has been spelled Farquhar, Farquher, Farker, Farkar, Forker, Farquar, Farquer and many more.
Notable amongst the family at this time was George Farquhar (1677-1707), an Irish dramatist, born in Derry. He is bet known for his Restoration comedy, including his plays The Constant Couple (1699), The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707).3
John Farquhar (1751-1826) was a Scottish dealer in gunpowder, born of humble parents at Bilbo, in the parish of Crimond, Aberdeenshire who by the time of his death had amassed about £1.5 million...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Forker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them: