Forest History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Ireland 


The Forest 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, Forest would have appeared independently in various parts of Britain.

One source claims the name as Norman, descended from Forez, Normandy. There Guerard and Nicholas de Foresta of Normandy were found in 1198 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae). The source continues to note that William Forist held lands in Hampshire in the Domesday Book of 1086. 1 2

Early Origins of the Forest family

The surname Forest was first found in Northumberland, but 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. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Petrus Forestarius, Jordan le Forester; and Nicholas le Forester. 4 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. 3

As a trade name, the family were traditional "officers made by letters patent under the great seal, and sworn to preserve vert and venison in the forest; and to attend upon the wild beasts within his bailiwick; to attach offenders there either in Vert or Venison, and to preserve the same at the courts of the Forest." 5

Early History of the Forest family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forest research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1471, 1538, 1623, 1652, 1655, 1679, 1690, 1698, 1718, 1758, 1767 and 1828 are included under the topic Early Forest History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forest Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Forest occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Forrester, Forester, Forrest, Forster, Foster, Forrestor and many more.

Early Notables of the Forest family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

Forest World Ranking

In the United States, the name Forest is the 4,727th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Forest is ranked the 876th most popular surname with an estimated 6,087 people with that name. 7 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Forest is the 399th popular surname. 8 France ranks Forest as 632nd with 7,475 people. 9

Migration of the Forest family to Ireland

Some of the Forest family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Forest migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Forest, or a spelling variation of the surname include:

Forest Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Forest Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Forest Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Forest migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Forest Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Forest migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Forest Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Forest (post 1700) +
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