What is "formby"

Formby is a town in Merseyside. The area is a civil parish and within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. It has a population of approximately 25,000, measured at the 2011 Census as 22,419.

Historically in Lancashire, three manors are recorded in the Domesday book under "Fornebei" as Halsall, Walton and Poynton. The town's early recorded industry points to cockle raking, and shrimp fishing (in addition to arable ventures) last through into the 19th century. By 1872, the township and sub-district was made up of two chapelries (St. Peter and St. Luke), and contained Birkdale township, the hamlets of Ainsdale and Raven-Meols and Altcar parish. Formby was built on the plain adjoining the Irish Sea coast a few miles north of the Crosby channel where the sands afford shelter to the towns.

Formby is affluent with high owner-occupation and car ownership. Strong economic ties are retained with nearby Liverpool to which it acts as a dormitory town for some of its residents.

The greater area is a popular tourist destination during the summer months, with day trippers attracted to its beaches, sand dunes and wildlife - most particularly the endangered Red squirrels and Natterjack toads. The area is conserved by the National Trust, and designated a site of Specific Scientific Interest.

Formby may refer to:

• George Formby, Jr. (1904–1961), English singer, comedian, actor, famous for his banjo ukulele
• George Formby, Sr. (1875–1921), Edwardian music hall comedian, father of George Formby, Jr.
• Henry Formby (1816–1884), English Roman Catholic priest and writer
• Bent Formby, Danish biochemist
• Margaret Formby (1929–2003), founder of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Texas
• Mark Formby, American politician from Mississippi, member of Mississippi House of Representative
• Marshall Formby (1911–1984), Texas state senator, lawyer, newspaper publisher, radio executive
• Clint Formby (1923–2010), radio presenter in Texas

• Formby, a town in Merseyside, England
• Formby railway station in the town of Formby
• Formby F.C., a football club in the town of Formby
• Formby Gang, a criminal Chicago street gang in late 1890s to early 1900s