4,602 Global FORCE Family Members

FORCE Family History

Recorded as Force, Fores, Forss, Farce and Forcer, this is an English medieval surname. It is however of French origins, probably being introduced into England after the Norman Invasion of 1066. It is occupational and describes a sheep shearer or perhaps a skinner. The derivation is from the pre 7th century Old French word 'force', meaning a clipping knife or shears. The New English Dictionary of 1888 quoting from a medieval charter refers to ' ye sheer men and dyers, the forcers of wool, caster of wools and sorters of wool, and other trades'.