Forrest History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


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.

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 Forrest family

The surname Forrest 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 Forrest family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forrest 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 Forrest History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forrest Spelling Variations

The name Forrest, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Forrester, Forester, Forrest, Forster, Foster, Forrestor and many more.

Early Notables of the Forrest family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

Forrest World Ranking

In the United States, the name Forrest is the 1,184th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Forrest is ranked the 475th most popular surname with an estimated 7,949 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Forrest is the 674th popular surname with an estimated 1,054 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Forrest as 584th with 11,195 people. 9

Migration of the Forrest family to Ireland

Some of the Forrest 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.


Forrest migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Forrest family, or who bore a variation of the surname Forrest were

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

Forrest migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Forrest Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Forrest Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Forrest Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Forrest migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Forrest Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Forrest 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:

Forrest Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Forrest (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Forrest +
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