Surname Fohr - Meaning and Origin

Fohr: What does the surname Fohr mean?

The last name Fohr is a German surname. It originated as an occupational name for a wool seller or wool trader.

The name Fohr is derived from the Middle High German word fuhr, which means "to transport goods" or "to transport goods by wagon". It can also refer to a person who was involved with transporting wool, or someone skilled in the processing and sale of wool.

As an occupational last name, Fohr signifies a long and rich history within certain families from Germany. In the Middle Ages, a prosperous wool trade existed between England and the Low Countries. It's likely that many of the traders in this market were of German descent.

The presence of the surname Fohr in a family today is likely representative of an ancestor who belonged to that wool trading chain. It serves as a reminder of the hard work, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit that enabled their ancestor's success in this early era of European history.

Fohr: Where does the name Fohr come from?

The last name Fohr is most commonly found throughout the United States, with concentrations in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and smaller populations extending across 38 states and Puerto Rico. It appears to be most common in the Midwest and mountain states.

The earliest recorded instance of the last name in the U.S. was in 1683, although it likely was present in America prior to then. There is evidence to suggest that the Fohr surname originated in Germany sometime in the 1600s. It is believed to be derived from a German personal name, though the exact meaning behind the name is unknown.

This surname is relatively more common in Pennsylvania than in other areas of the U.S. This could be indicative of a larger German migration to the area in the 1700s when the area was still part of colonial America.

Fohr is also found throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada. As this is a German surname, it is not especially common in countries where other languages are predominantly spoken.

While Fohr is not the most common of last names, it certainly is not uncommon. In some states like Pennsylvania, it is more common than other surnames – indicating that there may be a cluster or area of origin from which the surname comes.

Variations of the surname Fohr

The surname Fohr is of German origin and can be found in different present-day variants, spellings and surnames, both in Germany and in overseas countries where Germans have traditionally migrated to.

The Fohr spelling originates from the German ‘Fohrer’. It originated as an occupational name for someone who worked as a ferryman or boatman.

Variants of Fohr include Foer, Foerster, Foersch, Foerschner, Foerter, Foertsch, Fohrer, Foehr, Foer, and Foerder.

In America, Fohr can be seen as Fohs, replace the German ‘-rr’ with an ‘-s’. Some variants can be interchangeable depending on dialect.

Other German surnames from the same origin are Förster, Försterling, Förstermann, and Försterling.

Fohr is rare in the UK but can be found as Farr or Farrar, as does the name Furr and Furrer.

In Australia, many variants of Fohr have been used including Farr, Farrar, Farrer, Forr, Forrer, Foarr, Foerre and Forer.

Due to numerous German emigrants to the USA, many Fohr spellings evolved slightly, for example Fohs and Foehr became Fought.

The surname Fohr has a multitude of variants, spellings and surnames stemming from its German roots. Variants are country-specific, and the spelling today is much different that the original Fohr spelling. It is possible to work out from which German region a family name originates by looking at the spelling and variants used.

Famous people with the name Fohr

• Louise Fohr: Louise Fohr is a German DJ and record producer, best known for being a part of the duo Charlotte & Louise with Charlotte de Witte.
• Axelle Fohr: Axelle Fohr is a French visual artist and musician who has exhibited her work in Europe and the US.
• Jens Fohr: Jens Fohr is a German musician and composer, best known for his production of film music as well as solo piano and classical performances.
• George C. Fohr: George C. Fohr is a renowned American wood carver and sculptor active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Friedrich Fohr: Friedrich Fohr was a German composer and violinist of the late 19th century. He was among the first "Brahmsians" of German musical tradition.
• Mortimer Fohr: Mortimer Fohr was an American mechanical engineer and inventor who held over a hundred patents.
• Onro Fohr: Onro Fohr was the stage name of American playwright and drag queen, Onro Barrett, who was known for his over-the-top performances.
• Helmut Fohr: Helmut Fohr is a German visual artist best known for his abstract and minimalistic paintings.
• Heinrich Fohr: Heinrich Fohr was an Austrian-German painter and printmaker primarily active in the early 19th century.
• Friedrich Wilhelm Fohr: Friedrich Wilhelm Fohr was a German architect and landscape designer active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Other surnames

FöhreFöhrenbachFöhrenbacherFohrenkammFohrer