A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forrester family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0588 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à trois cors-de-chasse de sa., liés de gu., l'embouchure à dextre (Forrester); aux 2 et 3 d'azur à neuf molettes (5) d'or, posées 3, 3, 2 et 1 (Bailey). C.: une tête et col de dogue d'arg. S.: deux dogues d'arg. D.: SPERO.”
BritainEcosse Lord, c. 1633
Where the Forrester Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Forrester arms are recorded
The Forrester arms were recorded in Ecosse Lord, c. 1633.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Britain in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Forrester arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Forrester Family in Britain
The surname Forrester originated as an occupational name for a person who worked as an official in charge of a royal forest. In medieval Britain, these individuals held significant responsibility, as they were tasked with protecting the king’s hunting grounds and enforcing strict laws regarding timber and wildlife. While the name is often associated with the Scottish Borders, branches of the family established roots in various parts of England over several centuries. By the early 17th century, the family had a documented presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1633 confirm that members of the Forrester family were living and working in this region, where they likely integrated into the local agricultural or administrative life of the English countryside. This transition from a specialized forest role to a broader family name reflects the way many surnames evolved from specific jobs into permanent hereditary identities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a ratchhound courant betw. three hunting horns sa”
ScotlandDundee, c. 1672
Where the Forrester Arms Were Recorded
Dundee
Map of Scotland showing where the Forrester arms are recorded
The Forrester arms were recorded in Dundee, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Forrester 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 Forrester Family in Scotland
The name Forrester originated as a professional title for those tasked with the protection and management of royal hunting grounds and forests. In the medieval period, these individuals held significant status because they acted as the eyes and ears of the crown within the wilder parts of the Scottish landscape. By the time the family established a documented presence in Dundee in 1672, the name had transitioned from a job description into a stable hereditary surname. During this era, Dundee was a bustling center of trade and maritime activity, which likely provided new opportunities for the family to move away from their traditional woodland duties. As they integrated into the urban life of the city, they became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that shaped Scotland during the late seventeenth century. This shift reflects the broader history of many Scottish families who moved from rural service roles into the developing economic hubs of the nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
forestarius
A Latin term referring to an official in charge of a forest.
This name
ForresterAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a forest warden or keeper of royal hunting grounds.
also spelled
Forster
Forester
Foster
Related arms
Brittonsimilar arms
Fostersimilar arms
Forestervariant spelling
Forstervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1633
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
