| ![Show Contents]() Foister History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of FoisterWhat does the name Foister mean? The Foister surname was no doubt taken on by someone who either lived in or near a forest, or perhaps worked in the forest. The Middle English word "forest" referred specifically to an area of woodland reserved by law as hunting grounds for the king or his nobles. No doubt, as a surname, Foister would have appeared independently in various parts of Britain. Alternately, some instances of this surname are thought to derive from the Old French (Norman) word "forcetier," which was originally an occupational name for a maker or user of scissors or clipping shears. Early Origins of the Foister familyThe surname Foister was first found in Northumberland where early records include John Forester, listed in the Pipe Rolls of Surrey of 1183, Warin le Forstere in London in 1199, and Richard le Forester listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1240. There was a line of Forsters who held Bamborough Castle, Northumberland, beginning with Sir John Forster, said to have fought with King Richard I in the Crusades of the 12th century; Governing the castle until the mid 18th century. There was also a Shropshire family of this name, who held custody of part of the Wrekin forest. An early record of this family lists a Hugh Forester as a witness 1187. Adderstone in Northumberland was another ancient family seat. "The manor [of Adderstone] was possessed by the ancient family of Forster, from whom it came, in 1763, to John William Bacon, Esq." 1 And another branch of the family was found at Beadnell, again in Northumberland. "Here is a small castle, which formerly belonged to the family of Forster; and close to the sea are remains of a chapel, supposed to have been a cell to Coldingham monastery." 1 Early History of the Foister familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Foister research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1275, 1379, 1511, 1515, 1555, 1558, 1569, 1572, 1574, 1575, 1602, 1619, 1620, 1633, 1635, 1649, 1663, 1668, 1677, 1698, 1701, 1703, 1704, 1709, 1711, 1714, 1715, 1720, 1739 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Foister History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Foister Spelling VariationsThe name Foister, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Forrester, Forester, Forrest, Forster, Foster, Forrestor, Forrister, Fewster, Foister, Foyster and many more. Early Notables of the Foister familyNotable amongst the family name during their early history was Sir John Forster (c.1515-1602), English administrator and soldier; Sir William Forster; and his son, Sir Humfrey Forester, 1st Baronet (died 1663) of Aldermaston, Berkshire, Sheriff of Berkshire (1619-1620); and his son, Sir Humphrey Forster, 2nd Baronet (c 1649-1711), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Berkshire in 1677, Sheriff of Berkshire in 1704. Sir Humphrey's second son, William Forster...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Foister Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Foister family to IrelandSome of the Foister family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Foister familyThe New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Foister family, or who bore a variation of the surname Foister were George Forest, who settled in Virginia in 1608, 12 years before the "Mayflower"; John Foster, who came to Virginia in 1623; Patience Forster, who came to Massachusetts in 1635.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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