Fortune History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Early Origins of the Fortune family

The surname Fortune was first found in East Lothian in Roxburghshire where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Fortune family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fortune research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200 and 1296 are included under the topic Early Fortune History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fortune Spelling Variations

The name Fortune, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Fortune, Fortun and others.

Early Notables of the Fortune family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

John Fortune of Roxburghshire

Fortune Ranking

In the United States, the name Fortune is the 2,229^th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Fortune is ranked the 3,274^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Fortune family to Ireland

Some of the Fortune family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fortune migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Fortune family, or who bore a variation of the surname Fortune were

Fortune Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Eleanor Fortune, who arrived in Maryland in 1662 3
john Fortune, who landed in Maryland in 1662 3
Robert Fortune, who arrived in Maryland in 1669 3

Fortune Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anthony Fortune who purchased land in Louisiana in 1721 and by the mid-1800's the Fortunes occupied territories in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and San Francisco
Henry Fortune, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1730 3
Frantz Fortune, aged 26, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 3
Malachi Fortune, aged 19, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 3
Michael Fortune, aged 22, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fortune Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Fortune, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 3
Martin Fortune, who landed in New York, NY in 1817 3
James Fortune was a chemist in Huntingdon in 1851
James Fortune, who landed in St Clair County in 1857 3
Thomas Fortune, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1857 3

Fortune migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fortune Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Fortune, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. William Fortune U.E. who settled in Eastern District, Cornwall, Ontario c. 1784 4

Fortune migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Fortune Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Andrew Fortune, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 8th April 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
Mr. William Fortune, (b. 1832), aged 20, English saddler who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Dudbrook" on 17th November 1852, arriving in Western Australia 6

Fortune migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Fortune Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J. Fortune, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship "Tornado" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th September 1859 7
John Fortune, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ida Zeigler" in 1863
Alexander Fortune, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
Mary Fortune, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
Amelia Fortune, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fortune migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 8

Fortune Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Lewis Fortune, who landed in Jamaica in 1742 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Fortune (post 1700) +

Rose Fortune (1774-1864), American Black Loyalist and businesswoman, first female police officer in Canada
Cornelius "Sonny" Fortune (1939-2018), American jazz saxophonist
Sonny Fortune (b. 1939), American jazz musician
Scott Thomas Fortune (b. 1966), American Olympic gold medalist volleyball player
Jimmy Fortune (b. 1955), American country music singer
Jesse Fortune (1930-2009), American Chicago blues singer
Peter Fortune, American educator and historian
George La Fortune, American politician, Representative from New York 33rd District, 1950 9
Jean Gabriel Fortuné (d. 2021), Haitian politician, who served as the mayor of Les Cayes and senator, National Palace advisor and departmental delegate
Graham Charles Fortune CNZM (1941-2016), New Zealand diplomat and public servant, New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva (1987-1990)
... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fortune family +

The Fortune 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: Diltai deus
Motto Translation: God Enriches