Surname Forais - Meaning and Origin

Forais: What does the surname Forais mean?

The last name Forais is of French origin and is a regional surname. The name is believed to derive from the pre-Roman French word “Foraix”, which was the name of a tribe that lived in the region before the Roman invasion and is likely related to the Romans’ designation for the region, “Forianne”.

The exact meaning of Forais is uncertain, however there are several theories. One theory suggests that it is related to the French verb “forer”, which means “to dig”, and thus denotes a sense of “dwelling place” or “diggings” related to the pre-Roman meaning of the word. A second theory suggests that it relates to the Latin “forus”, meaning “a city gate”, which would denote someone living near a gate, or someone with a job related to the administration of a gate.

The modern meaning of Forais is “an inhabitant of Foraix”, which is a commune in the Saint-Étienne region of France. The name is also popular in some neighbouring South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina, likely due to the influence of French colonialism in the area.

The last name Forais likely holds importance to those who bear it, as the name has held its meaning since its emergence in pre-Roman times, and endures to this day.

Forais: Where does the name Forais come from?

The last name Forais is most commonly found today in French-speaking countries, particularly in France and Canada. The origin of the name comes from the French word forage, which means “stubble” or “the stubble left after the harvest”.

Most Forais families originated in the northwest region of France, an area that is now a part of Bretagne. The name is believed to have first appeared in Brittany in the 14th century, when the first occupants of the lands in that area were given the surname by a local noble family.

In the 17th century, many of the Forais family members migrated to Canada, settling in and around Quebec. Today, most people with the Forais surname based in Canada trace their lineage back to French-Canadian roots and/or colonial ancestry.

In France, the Forais surname is still relatively common, especially in the Bretagne region. It is estimated that roughly 4,000 people in France bear the last name today.

Outside of French-speaking countries, people with the Forais surname are few and far between. There have been reports of Forais family members in the United States and in parts of the United Kingdom, but these individuals are few and far between. Despite its relative rarity, the Forais surname is still most common in French-speaking regions.

Variations of the surname Forais

The surname Forais is of French origin and is a truncated version of the more common surname Foret. The Forais spelling and surname is rarely seen and can be quite difficult to locate in official records.

Variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin are as follows:

• Foret: Divided into three categories of origin: Patronymic (“son of Foret”) French, Basque, Locative (“of Foret”), Occitan, and Topographic (“of the Foret”), Old French.

• Forais: A truncated version of the surname Foret.

• Foress: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Forez: A French variant of the surname Forais, derived from a place-name denoting a region in central France.

• Forel: A French variant of the surname Forais, derived from the Old French word “furel”, meaning “small forest”.

• Forelli: An Italian variant of the surname Forais, derived from the French.

• Forêt: A variant of the surname Forais that includes the acute accent over the “e”, making the surname predominantly French in origin.

• Forei: A Portuguese variant of the surname Forais.

• Foreche: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Forette: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Forella: An Italian variant of the surname Forais.

• Forelli: An Italian variant of the surname Forais.

• Fore: An English variant of the surname Forais, derived from Old French.

• Forray: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Forre: A Dutch variant of the surname Forais.

• Foreau: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Forera: An Italian variant of the surname Forais.

• Foraise: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Fourreau: A French variant of the surname Forais, derived from the French word “fourreau” meaning “sheath”.

• Forail: A French variant of the surname Forais.

• Forette: A French variant of the surname Forais.

Famous people with the name Forais

• Christophe de Forais: actor, director, and stomach cancer activist.
• Inès de Forais: French stage, film, and television actress.
• René de Forais: former French football player.
• Émile de Forais: French aviation pioneer, politician and diplomat.
• Nicolas de Forais: French classical pianist and composer.
• Philippe de Forais: World War II French Resistance member.
• Rene de Forais: 19th century French medic, who wrote the first treatise on the treatment of tuberculosis.
• Jean de Forais: 16th century French scholar and poet.
• Jean-Marie de Forais: 18th century Marquis of Tournon, a mayor of Paris.
• René de Forais: former professional football player who played for Metz and won the Coupe de France in 1979.

Other surnames

Foraits