Forrest

ORIGIN OF THE FORREST NAME

The surname Forrest though generally accepted as Scottish is really Norman

The name in its original form being DeForrest

It is obviously derived from an extensive woods

As indicated by the area of those bearing the name

Though the name is often found in the early records of Scotland

The exact date in which they came from France to Scotland is not known

The name Forrest appears as early as 1533

FIRST KNOWN OF THE NAME

One of the early martyrs of the Reformation in Scotland

Was a Benedictine Friar named Henry Forrest

He is said to be a young man

His Martyrdom took place in 1533.

(Ref. "The Scottish Nation" by William Anderson vol. 11 P. 249)

SCOTTISH RECORDS OF THE FORREST'S

According to history the Forrest family was prominent in Scotland

Many by that name living in and near Edinburgh

The Forrest in which we are interested is whom we usually speak of as Scotch Irish

Those who left Scotland on account of religious oppression

And took up residence in Ireland

The Forrest's settled in Dublin where they were prominent and influential

John Forrest was Lord Mayor of Dublin

As indicated by the Arms of the Forrest of Dublin

This family bears the following Arms

Sable on a fesse three hinds erect and erased argent, an oak tree ppr. crest

Out of a duel coronet, an oak tree ppr.

Motto Vivunt dum Virent [They Live As Long As They Are Green]

REf. Burk's Colonial Gentry Vol. 11 P. 748 Fairbain's

"Crest of the Leading Families of Great Britain and Ireland"

The Scotch Irish ancestors were primarily property owners

And worked the land as farmers

Our Canadian ancestors were also farmers

Residing in areas of the Township of Newport, Nova Scotia

Numerous members of our Canadian family fought at war for our freedom

The Forrest's who emigrated to the U.S.A.

became prominent in their areas as large farm owners

and War heroes General Information coming from the McMinnville Genealogy Center