Show ContentsFoorst History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Foorst family

The surname Foorst was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in South Holland, a province of Holland, the most crowded province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Rotterdam, Leyden and Shiedam. Noted is the famed castle of Teilengen where Jacqueline of Bavaria is buried. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

The name is a "topographic name for someone who lived by a ford or crossing point, Middle Dutch voorde, or a habitational name from a place named with this word, for example Tervoort in North Brabant." [1]

Early History of the Foorst family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Foorst research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1576, 1615, 1624, 1663, 1690, 1739 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Foorst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Foorst Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Voorst, Voorstad, Voorsteegh, Voort, Vorst, Vorstell, Vorstern, Vorstman and many more.

Early Notables of the Foorst family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Foorst Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Foorst family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Abraham Vandervoort, who arrived in New York, NY in 1640; Thomas Vorst, who arrived in New Netherland in 1660; Willem Voorst, who came to New Netherland in 1663.



  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)


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