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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009

Origins Available: English, Scottish

Where did the English Forrest family come from? What is the English coat of arms/family crest? When did the Forrest family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The Forrest surname was no doubt taken on by someone who either lived in or near a forest, or perhaps worked in the forest. The Middle English word "forest" referred specifically to an area of woodland reserved by law as hunting grounds for the king or his nobles. No doubt, as a surname, Forrest would have appeared independently in various parts of Britain.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Forrester, Forester, Forrest, Forster, Foster, Forrestor and many more.

First found in Northumberland where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early records include John Forester, listed in the Pipe Rolls of Surrey of 1183, and Richard le Forester listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1240. There was also a Shropshire family of this name, who held custody of part of the Wrekin forest. An early record of this family lists a Hugh Forester as a witness 1187.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James Forest, who settled in Virginia in 1654; George Forest settled in Virginia in 1608, 12 years before the "Mayflower"; Toby Forrester settled in Virginia in 1655.

For more information on the last name Forrest, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.


Suggested Readings for the name Forrest
  • The Browns and Forrests of Scotland, Who Came to Tennessee at the End of the Nineteenth Century, and Their Family by Forrest David Brown.

Some noteworthy people of the name Forrest
  • Edwin Forrest (1806-1872), an American actor
  • Frederic Fenimore Forrest Jr. (b. 1936), an Academy Award-nominated American actor
  • Jimmy Forrest (1864-1925), Blackburn Rovers and England footballer
  • Sir James Forrest, Australian Company Chairman
  • Admiral Sir Ronald Forrest,
  • John Forrest (1847-1918), Australian explorer
  • Craig Lorne Forrest (b. 1967), Canadian soccer commentator and a former goalkeeper
  • George Forrest (1873-1932), Scottish botanist and plant collector
  • George Forrest (1800-1859), Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross
  • Peter James Forrest (b. 1985), a professional Australian cricketer


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Forrest family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Forrest coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Forrest genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Forrest Family Crest Products


Anniversary products for the name Forrest.
Apparel revealing the Forrest family crest.
Armorial histories for the name Forrest.
Ceramics proudly displaying the Forrest family crest.
Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Forrest.
Downloads with a Forrest family crest.
Family Crest for the name Forrest.
Family Tree displaying the family crest for the name Forrest.
Hand Painted Plaques with the family crest for the name Forrest.
Keychains revealing the family crest for the surname Forrest.
Mouse pads revealing the family crest for the surname Forrest.
New Products with a Forrest coat of arms.
Packages displaying the family crest for the name Forrest.
Plaques and Frames revealing the Forrest family crest.
Surname Histories for the name Forrest.
Symbolism displaying the Forrest family crest.
Travel Mugs with a Forrest coat of arms.
Popular Products
Armorial History With Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
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Coffee Mug
Armorial History with Frame
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The Forrest Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Forrest Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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