Explore the Family Name Fortescue
The meaning of Fortescue
English (of Norman origin): nickname from Old French fort ‘strong’ + escu ‘shield’. History: A family of this name claim descent from Radulfus Fortescu who is recorded in Domesday Book (1086) as holding lands at Modbury (Devon).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Fortescue in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Fortescue has seen a slight decrease in rank from 88,825 in 2000 to 91,625 in 2010. This change indicates a decline of 3.15%. Despite the drop in rank, the count of people bearing this surname has actually risen by 3.61%, from 194 in 2000 to 201 in 2010. The proportion per 100k has remained constant at 0.07.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #88,825 | #91,625 | -3.15% |
| Count | 194 | 201 | 3.61% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Fortescue
When it comes to ethnicity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census suggests that most individuals with the surname Fortescue identify as White, with 95.36% in 2000 and a slightly lower percentage of 95.02% in 2010. The only notable change in ethnic identity is within the Hispanic group, which increased from 0% in 2000 to 2.49% in 2010. Other ethnic identities such as Asian/Pacific Islander, Two or more races, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native either remained at 0% or were suppressed for privacy reasons.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.36% | 95.02% | -0.36% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 2.49% | 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% |