Surname Fortney - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Genetic Tapestry: An iGENEA DNA Test Deepens Understanding of Fortney Heritage

Recently, I embarked on a DNA testing journey with iGENEA to discover my genetic heritage associated with my family surname, Fortney. Using advanced autosomal DNA testing, IGENEA offered rich insights into my lineage, marking significant Central European descent with traces of Balkan and Scandinavian heritage.

D. Fortney

Fortney: What does the surname Fortney mean?

The surname Fortney is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French "Fortin" which meant "stronghold" or "fortress." The term "fortin" was sometimes used to refer to a person who lived near or worked at a fortress. So, the surname could have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a fort, or an occupational name for someone who served or worked in one. Over time, it was adapted and modified in different regions, resulting in various spellings and forms such as Fortin, Fortney, or Fautin. While this surname was first found in France, it spread to other parts of Europe like Belgium and England with migration and eventually made its way to North America with early settlers. Please note that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings that depend on the family line and history.

Fortney: Where does the name Fortney come from?

The surname Fortney is of French origin, derived from the Old French "fort", meaning strong, and "ey", meaning island or place. It is a descriptive surname given to someone who lived in a fortified place or a strong dwelling. The name first originated in the region of Normandy, in northern France. In the Middle Ages, it flourished in various forms due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, spreading to British Isles and afterward to America, Canada, and Australia due to European colonization. Today, it is not a common last name, but it is mostly found in the United States. In the US 2010 census, the Fortney surname ranked 9063 in terms of frequency, with only about 3291 people carrying the name. However, there is a higher concentration of people with the Fortney surname in Ohio, followed by Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Outside the United States, there are also small populations of people with this surname in Canada, Australia, Germany, and France.

Variations of the surname Fortney

The surname Fortney can be spelled in a few different ways. Some of these include Fortney, Fortner, Forten, Fortna, and even Foughtney. Surnames that could be of the same origin or related can also include Forney, Forton, and Fortin, which can be traced back to various European, mainly Germanic dialects.

The surname Fortney is believed to come from a place called 'Fortney' in England, so any surnames that share this root could be potentially related. Additionally, surnames with roots in the word 'fort,' which means strong or fortified, might also be related. Other variations could be based on the use of 'ney' as a suffix in English surnames.

In general, surname variants can occur due to regional accents, literacy level, or cultural custom, resulting in diverse spelling and pronunciation over time and location. However, it's important to consider the different linguistic histories, dialects, and traditions when researching surnames, as similar sounding or spelled surnames might not necessarily be of the same historical or family origin.

Famous people with the name Fortney

• Chris Fortney: A notable figure in motorsports. He is the team manager of JTG Daugherty Racing in NASCAR’s premier division, the Sprint Cup Series.
• Will Fortney: A well-known academic in the field of linguistics, Fortney is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of British Columbia.
• Virgil Fortney: A former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.
• Jay Fortney: A recognized figure in the acting industry, known for his roles in 'Donnie Darko' (2001), 'Family' (2008) and 'The X-files' (1993).
• Robert Fortney: A popular graphic designer, known for his visual contributions to films like Avatar (2009), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Ant-Man (2015).
• Scott Fortney: An experienced voice-over artist, who has lent his voice to various commercials, video games, and animations. Please note that while these individuals may not be widely recognized by the general population, they have made notable contributions to their specific field.

Other surnames

FortnaFortner