Forcey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe first family to use the name Forcey lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Forcey is derived from the old Gaelic personal name Fearsithe, which means man of peace. 1 However, some recorded examples of the surname Forcey suggest that it is occasionally a local name derived from residence a place named Forsythe. There appears to be two origins for the family: Stirlingshire and Edinburghshire. 1 Another source claims the family came from "Forcett (whence also Fawcett) a township in the wapentake of Gillingwest, in the [North Riding] of Yorkshire," 2 but this source's claim is doubtful. Early Origins of the Forcey familyThe surname Forcey was first found in Stirlingshire, where "Osbert filius Forsyth [who] had charter of a hundred shilling land in the tenement of Salakhill (now Sauchie), sheriffdom of Stirling, from Robert I c. 1308." 3 The Edinburghshire's first entry was that of "William de Fersith, bailie of Edinburgh, 1365, [who] may be William of Forsythe, servant of Aleyn of Bollone of Edinburgh, merchant of Scotland, 1394." 3 Early History of the Forcey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forcey research. Another 278 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1364, 1368, 1402, 1405, 1418, 1420, 1423, 1424, 1426, 1428, 1439, 1446, 1451, 1452, 1461, 1471, 1487, 1497, 1498, 1504, 1512, 1525, 1621, 1890, 1929 and 1980 are included under the topic Early Forcey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Forcey Spelling VariationsRepeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Forcey has appeared Forsyth, Forsythe, Forseyth, Forsy, Foursides and others. Early Notables of the Forcey familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was William de Fersith, who participated at an inquest in Edinbergh, 1402. He may be William Fersith (without 'de'), who was burgess of Edinbergh in 1423.Thomas of Forsythe was listed in Edinburgh, 1439. Robert of Forsythe had a safe conduct in England... Migration of the Forcey family to IrelandSome of the Forcey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Forcey: Forcey Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
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: Instaurator ruinae Motto Translation: A repairer of ruin.
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