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Forbes History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Forbes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Forbes

What does the name Forbes mean?

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Forbes lived among the ancient Scottish people called the Picts. The Forbes family lived in the lands of Forbes on Aberdeenshire where the family's history dates back before 1000 AD

Early Origins of the Forbes family

The surname Forbes was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, at Pitscottie from 1168, which was later named "the Braes of Forbes."

Legend has it that the founder of the Clan, Oconochar, slew a bear in order to take up residence there. One of the first records of the name from this region was Duncan de Forbeys who received a grant of lands c. 1272 from King Alexander III. Later, John de Fernboys was listed as rendering allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296 and later still, William of Forbace was canon of Aberdeen in 1464. 1

Early History of the Forbes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forbes research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1214, 1380, 1448, 1581, 1590, 1611, 1623, 1626, 1629, 1632, 1644, 1671, 1680, 1684, 1685, 1696, 1704, 1712, 1747 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Forbes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forbes Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Forbes has appeared Forbes, Forbose, Forbess, Forbeis (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Forbes family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Alexander de Forbes, (c. 1380-1448) 1st Lord Forbes, progenitor of the lordship. He was "the eldest son of Sir John de Forbes of that ilk. The lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire gave name to the family...
Patrick Forbes (1611?-1680), was Scottish bishop of Caithness; and Duncan Forbes (1644-1704), was a Scottish politician, MP for Nairnshire; and his son, Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden (1685-1747), was a...

Forbes World Ranking

In the United States, the name Forbes is the 983^rd most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Forbes is ranked the 529^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,258 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Forbes is the 391^st popular surname with an estimated 9,432 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Forbes as 361^st with 1,769 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Forbes as 482^nd with 13,383 people. 6

Migration of the Forbes family to Ireland

Some of the Forbes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 134 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Forbes migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Forbes:

Forbes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Johannes Forbes, aged 50, who landed in New York in 1651 7
Alexander Forbes, who settled in Maryland in 1666

Forbes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Forbes, who landed in Virginia in 1702 7
Colin Forbes, who settled in Charles Town in 1766
Janet Forbes, aged 18, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 7
Donald Forbes, aged 39, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 7
Patrick Forbes, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 7

Forbes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel Forbes, who arrived in New York in 1801 7
Ann Forbes, who landed in America in 1805 7
Jos Forbes, who arrived in America in 1805 7
John Forbes, who arrived in America in 1805 7
Alexander Forbes, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1807 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Forbes migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Forbes Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Alexander Forbes, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
John Forbes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Jane Forbes, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Mary Forbes, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Mr. Henry Forbes U.E. who settled in Hampton, Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1784 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Forbes Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Forbes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Charles Forbes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
James Forbes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
John Forbes, aged 30, who landed in Canada in 1812
John Forbes, who landed in Canada in 1812
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Forbes migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Forbes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Forbes, (b. 1790), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. William Forbes, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 8th April 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. Daniel Forbes, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
William Forbes, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Thomas Forbes, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Forbes migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Forbes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Ann Forbes, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 14
Robert Forbes, aged 35, a farm labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Margaret Forbes, aged 30, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Eliza Forbes, aged 9, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
John Forbes, aged 7, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Forbes (post 1700) +

Lani Carin Forbes (1987-2022), American author of young adult novels, most known for her fantasy series, Age of the Seventh Sun
Sean Forbes (b. 1982), deaf American hip-hop artist from Detroit, Michigan, with hos producer and collaborator is Jake Bass, they have penned over 100 songs, many of which they perform live
James Ricardo Forbes (1952-2022), American silver medalist basketball player at the 1972 Olympics
James Randy Forbes (b. 1952), American politician in U.S. House of Representatives
Michelle Forbes (b. 1965), born Michelle Renee Forbes Guajardo, American Daytime Emmy Award nominated actress
Esther Forbes (1891-1967), American novelist and children's writer, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and the Newbery Medal
Edwin Austin Forbes (1839-1895), American landscape painter, etcher, and war artist during the American Civil War
China Forbes (b. 1970), American singer and songwriter, and the lead singer of Pink Martini
Malcolm Stevenson "Steve" Forbes Jr. (b. 1947), American publisher of Forbes magazine
William Cameron Forbes (1870-1959), American administrator and diplomat, governor of the Philippines (1909-1913), and ambassador to Japan (1930-1932)
... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Forbes family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Robert Gordon Staunton Forbes (1922-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Oatley, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 15

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Ian Dudley Stewart Forbes, British Lieutenant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed aboard the HMS Stronghold 16

Vimy Ridge

Adolph Forbes (1884-1917), Canadian bricklayer, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge February 1917

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html