Forsberg
A Swedish habitational surname meaning “river rapids mountain” or “mountain by the rapids.”
The #7,732 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 71,902 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Forsberg is a Swedish surname built from fors, meaning “rapids” or “waterfall,” and berg, meaning “mountain” or “hill.” The name most likely began as a habitational surname for someone living by a hill or mountain near fast-moving water, or for a place so named. In many Swedish surnames, this kind of landscape-based formation became common during the period when fixed hereditary surnames were being adopted.
History
The surname is strongly associated with Sweden and Swedish-speaking families, and it is also found in countries with significant Scandinavian migration, especially the United States. Like many Swedish surnames, it can reflect either an inherited place-name or a later ornamental-style surname formed from familiar natural elements. It is well known today through figures such as hockey player Patric Forsberg and other Scandinavian bearers.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In Swedish place-names and surnames, fors is a very common element for rapids, so Forsberg is one of several surnames that paint a mini landscape scene.