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The Oxford Dictionary of Surnames, 1997, says:

Fortey, Forty, Fortye: form Old English "forÞ-eg" = forth island, land standing well out from surrunding marsh or fen.
Or: form Old English "forÞ-teag" (teag = enclosure), a paddock in front of or near the farm-house

and gives a few examples of English place-names composed of Forty and another element (like Forty Green, Essex).

Andy ;—)