A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forrest family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8301 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a mount a grove of trees vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Forrest Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Forrest arms are recorded
The Forrest arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Forrest arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Forrest Family in Scotland
The name Forrest is a topographical surname, which means it was originally given to people who lived near or worked within a royal forest. In medieval Scotland, these forests were not just collections of trees but protected areas of land reserved for the king to hunt. Because the name describes a place rather than a specific ancestor, several unrelated families likely adopted it independently across the Scottish Lowlands. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was well-established in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 show that members of the Forrest family were active participants in the city's growing urban economy during a time of significant social and industrial change. These early residents were part of the expanding professional and merchant classes that helped define the character of Edinburgh during the Scottish Enlightenment.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. on a fess betw. three hinds' heads erased and erect ar. an oak tree ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Forrest Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Forrest arms are recorded
The Forrest arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Forrest arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Forrest Family in Ireland
The history of the Forrest name in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in older English and French traditions, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin served as a central hub for trade and administration, making it a common destination for families moving across the Irish Sea. The Forrests who settled there likely integrated into the city’s merchant class, navigating the complex social changes brought on by the Irish Confederate Wars. By establishing themselves in the capital during such a turbulent time, these early settlers secured a foothold that allowed the name to persist through generations of Irish history. Their presence in the city archives during the mid-1600s highlights how families often used urban centers to build new lives amidst the broader regional conflicts of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forestis
A Latin term referring to an unenclosed woodland or hunting ground.
This name
ForrestAn occupational name for a person who lived near or worked as a guardian of a forest.
also spelled
Forresta
Forrester
Related arms
Le Forestvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
