This is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic (Irish) name 'O'Fuarthain, O'Fuarain', meaning 'descendant of Fuar(th)an', a personal name believed to be derived from the Gaelic 'fuar', cold. The name was first Anglicized as O'Forhane and Forahan, these forms being used mostly in County Kerry and West Cork. The modern surname Foran is found most frequently in County Limerick and County Waterford, and it is recorded in some parts of Leinster in the 16th Century. Two of the most well-known bearers of the name were Lawrence Foran, an 18th Century scribe in County Waterford who compiled the 'Book of Portlaw' in 1780, and the Most Reverend Nicholas Foran, who was Bishop of Waterford and Lismore from 1837 to 1855.
The marriage of Teade Foran and Catherine Foley was recorded in Newcastle, Limerick, on February 17th 1867. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of O Foirtchern, which was dated 1175, Annals of the Four Masters, during the reign of Rory O'Connor, High King of Ireland, 1166-1175. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname foran is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of foran. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname foran is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname foran, and in addition to the original locations of foran, we can find out where people with the surname foran can currently be found.
It is common for surnames like foran to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname foran provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname foran has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
The historical journey of the surname foran can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of foran. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname foran, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of foran developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname foran are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname foran, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about foran and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname foran or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of foran.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all forans who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname foran were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like foran can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname foran. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of foran are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname foran, as well as many other surnames.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of foran, and at the same time, of surnames in general.