“three Irish names all mistranslated as 'ford': 'son of the swimming-hound' (Leitrim), 'son of the devotee of the saints' (Galway), 'descendant of Fuarthán, the cold one' (Cork)”
The sept's historic heartland, highlighted. People moved — a name can be found far from home.
Quick answersIs Forde an Irish name?
Forde has two separate origins. A Gaelic sept and an incoming family ended up with the same English spelling, and they are not related — which one you belong to is a question the surname cannot answer, only the records can. In Irish the name is Mac Conshnámha / Mac Giolla na Naomh / Ó Fuaráin.
What does the surname Forde mean?
Forde (Irish: Mac Conshnámha / Mac Giolla na Naomh / Ó Fuaráin) means “three Irish names all mistranslated as 'ford': 'son of the swimming-hound' (Leitrim), 'son of the devotee of the saints' (Galway), 'descendant of Fuarthán, the cold one' (Cork)”. Origin: Gaelic septs (several) & English settlers.
Where in Ireland is the surname Forde from?
The historic homeland of the Forde name is Leitrim, Galway, Cork. People moved, so the name can be found far beyond it.
What is the Irish for Forde?
Mac Conshnámha / Mac Giolla na Naomh / Ó Fuaráin. Related spellings: Ford, MacConsnave, Foran.
Looking for the Forde family crest? Read this first — arms belong to people, not surnames, and the honest version is more interesting.
Tracing Forde ancestors? The step-by-step guide.