A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forbus family of Sweden.
Reg. 3290 · Swedish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 de gu. à une licorne saillante d'arg., soutenue d'une terrasse de sin.; au 2 d'azur à un croiss. figuré et tourné d'arg.; au 3 d'azur à un croiss. figuré et cont. d'arg.; au 4 de gu. à un lansquenet, arm. d'une cuirasse d'or, le reste de l'armure au nat., coiffé d'un bassinet au nat., tenant de sa main dextre une fourche, et de sa sen. un mousqueton, posé sur son épaule; ledit lansquenet posé sur une terrasse de sin. Sur le tout d'or à un croiss. d'arg., acc. de trois têtes d'ours du même. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un ours iss. et cont. au nat.; 2° le lansquenet, iss. Manteau, à dextre de gu., à sen. d'azur, doublé d'un parti d'or et de gu., frangé à dextre d'arg., à sen. d'or.”
Swedenc. 1652
Where the Forbus Arms Were Recorded
Stockholm
Map of Sweden showing where the Forbus arms are recorded
The Forbus arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1652.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Sweden in this period.
Christina of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
Christina of Sweden
1632–1654
Reigning in Sweden when the Forbus arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Forbus Family in Sweden
The Forbus family name originated in Scotland before spreading across Northern Europe during the seventeenth century. By 1652, members of the family had established a significant presence in Stockholm, Sweden, where they integrated into the local society and administrative circles. This migration was part of a broader movement of Scottish families who sought new opportunities in the Baltic region during a time of intense political and military change. As they settled in Stockholm, the family became known for their involvement in trade and military service, which helped them secure a stable position within the city. Their history reflects the interconnected nature of European life during this era, as individuals moved across borders to build new lives while maintaining links to their ancestral roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forbes
Derived from the Gaelic word for a field or district.
This name
ForbusA Swedish variant of a Scottish locational surname referring to one from a field.
also spelled
Forbes
Related arms
Forbesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Elgenstierna, Gustaf, Den introducerade svenska adelns ättartavlor med tillägg och rättelser, 1925
Riksarkivet (National Archives of Sweden), Riksregistraturet, 1652
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
knightChivalry and service in arms
