The surname ‘Forbes’ originates from Scotland. It is derived from the habitation name from a place near Aberdeen, so called from the Gaelic word ‘forba’ meaning field, district and the local suffix -ais. The placename is pronounced in two syllables, with the stress on the second, and the surname until recently reflected this. Today, however, it is generally a monosyllable. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive’s has confirmed that the surname ‘Forbes’ and or it’s variant’s, dates as far back as the thirteenth century were a family hold the premier barony in the Scottish peerage, as well as the irish title Earl of granard. The land from which the surname is derived were granted in a charter to ‘Duncan de forbes’ by Alexander III around 1271. The Irish branch of the family originated with ‘Sir Alfred Forbes’, who settled in County Longford in 1620. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive’s confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain ‘Reverend Jo…
Coat of arms: Quarterly, I and 4, azure, on a chevron argent, between three bear’s couped of the last, muzzled gules, a man’s heart proper; 2 co…