Forsyth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


The Picts of ancient Scotland were the tribe of the ancestors of the Forsyth family. The name Forsyth is derived from the old Gaelic personal name Fearsithe, which means man of peace. 1

However, some recorded examples of the surname Forsyth 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 Forsyth family

The surname Forsyth 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 Forsyth family

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

Forsyth Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Forsyth has been spelled Forsyth, Forsythe, Forseyth, Forsy, Foursides and others.

Early Notables of the Forsyth family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Forsyth World Ranking

In the United States, the name Forsyth is the 3,500th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Forsyth is ranked the 705th most popular surname with an estimated 5,557 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Forsyth is the 548th popular surname with an estimated 1,285 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Forsyth as 790th with 8,557 people. 7

Migration of the Forsyth family to Ireland

Some of the Forsyth family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
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.


Forsyth migration to the United States +

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Forsyth:

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

Forsyth migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Forsyth Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Forsyth Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Forsyth migration to Australia +

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

Forsyth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Forsyth 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:

Forsyth Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Forsyth (post 1700) +


The Forsyth Motto +

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.


Suggested Readings for the name Forsyth +
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