FORTUNE Family History

This interesting surname has a number of possible origins. Firstly, it may have originated from the old French "fortune" meaning chance or luck and would have been a nickname for a gambler. In some cases, it may derive from the rare medieval given names Fortunatus (male) meaning prosperous or Fortune (female) meaning good luck. It is also Scottish locational origin from the lands of Fortune in East Lothian, composed of the old English pre 7th Century elements "for" meaning hog or pig, plus "tun" a settlement or enclosure; hence "pig enclosure".