Map of Scotland showing where the Forrestal arms are recorded
The Forrestal 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 Forrestal 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 Forrestal Family in Scotland
The history of the Forrestal name in Scotland is deeply tied to the urban development of Edinburgh during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within the city, a time when Edinburgh was transitioning from a cramped medieval capital into a center of Enlightenment thought. The name itself likely originated as a topographical descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near or worked within a forest or wooded area. As the family settled into the social fabric of Edinburgh, they became part of a growing class of citizens who navigated the city’s rapid expansion and the shifting economic landscape of post-Jacobite Scotland. Their presence in the capital suggests they were integrated into the professional or mercantile life of the city, contributing to the steady growth of the Scottish Lowlands during this transformative era.
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Forrestal arms are recorded
The Forrestal 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 Forrestal 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 Forrestal Family in Ireland
The Forrestal family name has deep roots in the history of Ireland, particularly within the social and political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were well established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary center for administration and trade at the time. The name itself is often associated with the Norman influence in Ireland, as many families with similar linguistic origins arrived during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion. As the family settled into urban life in Dublin, they became part of the complex network of merchants and landowners who navigated the shifting power structures of the era. Their presence in the capital suggests they were active participants in the economic growth of the city during a time of significant national transition. Over the following decades, the family continued to integrate into the local community, leaving a lasting mark on the historical record of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forest
A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
This name
ForrestalDerived from a locational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked in a royal forest.
also spelled
Forresta
Forrester
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgh Register of Sasines, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Commissariot of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments, 1748
Whyte, Donald, A Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to the USA, 1972
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
