Forham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Forham

What does the name Forham mean?

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

Early Origins of the Forham family

The surname Forham 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 Forham.

Early History of the Forham family

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

Forham Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Forham include Foran, Forhane, Forahan, Forhan, Foreham and many more.

Early Notables of the Forham family

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

Migration of the Forham family

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Forham: Jno Forehead, who came to Virginia in 1653; Gillian Forehand, who arrived in Maryland in 1671; John Foran who settled in New York State in 1804;Patrick Forehan was a merchant in St. John'.

The Forham 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.