| ![Show Contents]() Forbs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of ForbsWhat does the name Forbs mean? The Forbs family saga is rooted in the people of the Pictish Clan of ancient Scotland. The Forbs family lived in the lands of Forbes on Aberdeenshire where the family's history dates back before 1000 AD Forbs Coat of Arms CreationThere are various guesses as to the origin of this name. One writer says that a gentleman who, wishing to secure the hand of a lady named "Bess," showed his courage by slaying a ferocious bear, and on being asked why he did it, replied, "For Bess." Another version is that the founder of the family of Forbes was a man named Bois, who received lands from an early king of Scotland, who, in making the gift, said they were "for Bois." Others say the word is derived from the Gaelic word Ferbasach-a bold man. In any case, the progenitor of the family must have had something to do with bears, as the various branches carry bear's heads in their shields. The bear is a cruel and fierce animal, and in armorial bearings represents a man that had over-come a cruel and vicious enemy. Dr William Mackay, in his "History of Urquhart and Glenmoriston,"says that Conacher of Ulster was the progenitor of the families of Forbes, Mackay, and Urquhart; and in allusion to his wonderful feat of killing a wild boar of extraordinary ferocity and strength the three families in after years adopted the boar's head as their arms. Clans did sometimes change their crest, but though the Urquharts still have the boar's head and the motto, "Mean, speak, and doe well," the Forbes and the Mackays have certainly changed theirs. 1 Early Origins of the Forbs familyThe surname Forbs was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, at Pitscottie from 1168, which was later named "the Braes of Forbes." Legend has it that the founder of the Clan, Oconochar, slew a bear in order to take up residence there. One of the first records of the name from this region was Duncan de Forbeys who received a grant of lands c. 1272 from King Alexander III. Later, John de Fernboys was listed as rendering allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296 and later still, William of Forbace was canon of Aberdeen in 1464. 2 Early History of the Forbs familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forbs research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1214, 1380, 1448, 1581, 1590, 1611, 1623, 1626, 1629, 1632, 1644, 1671, 1680, 1684, 1685, 1696, 1704, 1712, 1747 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Forbs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Forbs Spelling VariationsPrior to the invention of the printing press in the last hundred years, documents were basically unique. Names were written according to sound, and often appeared differently each time they were recorded. Spelling variations of the name Forbs include Forbes, Forbose, Forbess, Forbeis (Gaelic) and others. Early Notables of the Forbs familyAlexander de Forbes, (c. 1380-1448) 1st Lord Forbes, progenitor of the lordship. He was "the eldest son of Sir John de Forbes of that ilk. The lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire gave name to the family, who trace back their ancestors in it to the time of King William the Lion (1165-1214). Sir John de Forbes was justiciar and coroner for Aberdeenshire...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Forbs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Forbs family to IrelandSome of the Forbs family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 134 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Forbs familyThe freedom of the North American colonies was enticing, and many Scots left to make the great crossing. It was a long and hard journey, but its reward was a place where there was more land than people and tolerance was far easier to come by. Many of these people came together to fight for a new nation in the American War of Independence, while others remained loyal to the old order as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of Scots in North America have recovered much of this heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and other such organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important and early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Forbs: Alexander Forbes (c.1755-1848) who after serving in the 38th Regiment, settled in Shelburne N.S. and was granted land; Alexander Forbes (c.1793-1830) who served in the North Carolina Highlanders and later settled in Kingston, Ontario.
| Forbs Motto and War Cry | + |
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: Grace me guide
War Cry: "Leonach"
War Cry Description: Significance - a hill in Strathdon
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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