Explore the Family Name Forrestal
The meaning of Forrestal
Irish and English: apparently from some place in England named as ‘the paddock in front of the farmhouse’ (Middle English fore-stall). There are many minor places so called in southern England, such as Fostall in Hernhill, Kent and The Forstall in Rotherfield, Sussex, but the name is associated mainly with Ireland and, in Britain, with Sunderland in Durham, presumably introduced from Ireland. This is the name of a prominent Anglo-Norman Irish family, established in Ireland since an early date.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Forrestal in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Forrestal has seen a slight decrease from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, this surname was ranked as the 58,397th most popular in the United States, but by 2010, it had dropped to the 63,373rd position, marking an 8.52% decrease. The total count of individuals bearing this surname also reflected this trend, declining by 3.08% from 325 individuals in 2000 to 315 in 2010. Consequently, the proportion of the population with the Forrestal surname per 100,000 people also fell by 8.33%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #58,397 | #63,373 | -8.52% |
| Count | 325 | 315 | -3.08% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.12 | 0.11 | -8.33% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Forrestal
Regarding the ethnic identity associated with the Forrestal surname, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that it is predominantly linked to white ethnicity. In 2000, about 96.92% of those with the Forrestal surname identified as white, though this percentage slightly decreased to 94.29% by 2010. The decade also saw a small rise in the Hispanic association with the surname, from 0% in 2000 to 3.81% in 2010. However, there were no recorded associations between the Forrestal surname and Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, American Indian and Alaskan Native, or those identifying with two or more races during either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.92% | 94.29% | -2.71% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 3.81% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |