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In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the Forsaorth family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name Forsaorth is derived from the old Gaelic personal name Fearsithe, which means man of peace. 1
However, some recorded examples of the surname Forsaorth 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.
The surname Forsaorth 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
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forsaorth 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 Forsaorth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Forsaorth has been spelled Forsyth, Forsythe, Forseyth, Forsy, Foursides and others.
Notable 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...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Forsaorth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Forsaorth: James Forsyth who settled in New England in 1685; Catherine Forsyth settled in Georgia in 1747; Adam Forsyth settled in Philadelphia in 1802; followed by Henry, James, John, Joseph, Patrick, Robert, Samuel, Thomas Forsyth, who all passed through the same port between 1800 and 1865..