Forrestall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
England

The Anglo-Norman Conquest of Ireland lead by Strongbow introduced the first non-Gaelic elements into Irish nomenclature. These Anglo-Normans brought some traditions to Ireland that were not readily found within Gaelic system of hereditary surnames. One of the best examples of this is the local surname. Local surnames, such as Forrestall, were taken from the name of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. These surnames were very common in England, but were almost non-existent within Ireland previous to the conquest. The earliest surnames of this type came from Normandy, but as the Normans moved, they often created names in reference to where they actually resided. Therefore, some settlers eventually took names from Irish places. Originally, these place names were prefixed by "de," which means "from" in French. This type of prefix was eventually either made a part of the surname, if the place name began with a vowel, or was eliminated entirely. The Forrestall family originally lived near a paddock, which is a small grassy enclosed area in which horses can graze and exercise. The surname Forrestall is derived from a dialectical word which means paddock. The surname Forrestall belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Forrestall family

The surname Forrestall was first found in Kent, where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Forstall, and were granted the lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Forrestall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forrestall research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1359 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Forrestall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forrestall Spelling Variations

Names were simply spelled as they sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. Therefore, during the lifetime of a single person, his name was often spelt in many different ways, explaining the many spelling variations encountered while researching the name Forrestall. Some of these variations included: Forristal, Forristall, Forrestal, Forrestall, Forrestell, Forestal, Forestel, Forestall, Forestell, Forstal, Forstall, Furstal and many more.

Early Notables of the Forrestall family

More information is included under the topic Early Forrestall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forrestall migration to the United States +

The Irish emigration during the late 18th and 19th century contributed to the melting pot of nationalities in North America, and the building of a whole new era of industry and commerce in what was seen as a rich, new land. Ireland'sGreat Potato Famine resulted in the worst economic and social conditions in the island's history. And in response to the hunger, disease, and poverty, during this decade the total number of emigrants to leave for North America rivaled all the previous years combined. Those from this decade that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Research into early immigration and passenger lists has shown many people bearing the name Forrestall:

Forrestall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Kate Forrestall, aged 22, who landed in America, in 1894

Forrestall Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Thomas Forrestall, aged 20, who landed in America from County Waterford, Ireland in 1904
Katie Forrestall, aged 26, who immigrated to America from Killanakill, Ireland, in 1916
John Forrestall, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from Dublin, Ireland, in 1922

Forrestall migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Forrestall Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Lawrence Forrestall from county Kilkenny was a fisherman in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1815 1
Patrick Forrestall, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1828
Mr. Thomas Forrestall, aged 75 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Scotland" departing 13th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th June 1847 but he died on board 2

Forrestall Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Gladys Forrestall, aged 19, who settled in Halifax, Canada, in 1923
Harold Forrestall, aged 11, who immigrated to Halifax, Canada, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Forrestall (post 1700) +

Shanna Forrestall, American actress, known for her work in The Last Exorcism (2010), Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and Trailer Park Jesus (2012)
John Michael William Curphey Forrestall (1932-2006), Canadian Senator and Member of Parliament for Halifax, Nova Scotia
Tom Forrestall, one of Canada’s most celebrated realist painters, born in Nova Scotia

The Forrestall Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In corda inimicorum regis
Motto Translation: In the King's enemies

Citations +

Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 76)