The Ford family name is associated with Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford in 1903.
Henry Ford incorporated the company on June 16, 1903, with 11 investors, including his son Edsel Ford later becoming president. The Model T, introduced in 1908, helped make automobile ownership accessible to a mass market.
Ford is a family-business example because descendants retained important ownership and voting influence even as the company became publicly traded. The Ford family does not own every share, but its Class B stock has historically provided disproportionate voting power.
A common mix-up is confusing Ford Motor Company with Ford Foundation. The foundation was created from Ford family wealth but is a separate philanthropic organization.