Fuwayrit (Arabic: فويرط; also spelled as Fuwairat) is a Qatari coastal village in the municipality of Ash Shamal approximately 90 km (56 mi) north of the capital Doha. It is an important site for Qatar's oil industry. Archaeological evidence suggests that it may have been settled as early as the 16th century. Previously, it was one of the most important towns in the northern sector of Qatar, having served as the seat of power for the Al Thani who had migrated here during the 18th century, before relocating to Al Bidda (presently Doha) in 1847. According to tradition, Mohammed bin Thani, recognized as the first ruler of the Qatari Peninsula, was born here.

According to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Fuwayrit is derived from the Arabic word farat (or fart), meaning "to advance" or "to progress". This name was chosen in reference to a man who left his tribe in Fuwayrit by boat. Another theory states that the name originates from furat, which is translated as "small hill".

Fuwayrit served as the main residence of the Al Musallam rulers of Qatar during the 1600s and 1700s, while they had their main fort at Al Huwaila. Approximately 2,000 members of the Al Musallam lived in Qatar during that period. The Banu Ali also had their homes here.

According to family tradition, the Al Thani family migrated from Zubarah, previously Qatar's largest town, to Fuwayrit some time in the late 1700s. Mohammed bin Thani, who went on to rule the Peninsula, was born here.

In the 1820s, George Barnes Brucks carried out the first British survey of the Persian Gulf. He recorded the following notes about Fuwayrit, which he referred to as Affeeraat:

Affeeraat, a small fishing town, in lat. 26° V 50' N., long. 51° 26' E., is inhabited by about one hundred and fifty men of the Abookara and Uttoobee Tribes, subject to Bahrein. A few cattle and water may be procured here. There are some small hills near this town, by which it may be known.

In 1828–1829, a conflict emerged between the inhabitants of Fuwayrit and Doha after natives of Fuwayrit robbed a family with close ties to the Al Thani family. A nephew of Thani bin Mohammed named Khalfan bin Khalfan inherited a large sum of money after his father, a wealthy tawash (pearl trader), died. Khalfan's mother gave Thani the inheritance to invest on her son's behalf. When Khalfan reached adulthood, Thani distributed the money, which now amounted to a fortune, to Khalfan, and to his own son Mohammed bin Thani. Khalfan used his share of the wealth to open a business in Fuwayrit. Tensions soon arose between envious Fuwayrit residents and Khalfan, culminating in Khalfan being robbed of all his money.

Having been deprived of his livelihood, he appealed to Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini representative stationed in Qatar, as the peninsula was under nominal Bahraini suzerainty at this time. However, he had little interest in Khalfan's protests as he was preoccupied with the recent death of his brother, Salman. A man named Ali bin Amr Al Attiyah was present during Khalfan's appeal and promised to lend his aid on account of a tribal alliance. They went to Doha where they were successful in receiving volunteers from the Bani Malik, Al Soudan, and Al Salata tribes. The coalition forces departed from Doha and traveled to Fuwayrit via boat. Upon receiving news of the joint force's impending arrival, the culprits surrendered the stolen wealth without incident.