The Scottish surname Forbes or Forbess is toponymic in origin, derived from the place where the original bearer once lived or held land. In this instance, the name refers to the family who held the lands of Forbes, the name of a town and barony in the county of Aberdeenshire, so called from the Gaelic word "forba" meaning "field, district" and the local suffix "ais". Until recently this surname reflected the original pronunciation of this place name, that is, it was pronounced in two syllables with the stress on the second. Today, however, this is pronounced as one syllable. According to tradition, the lands from which this surname is derived were originally granted in a charter from 1271 to one Duncan de Forbes by Alexander III. His son was then known as Alexander de Forbis (of Forbes) and he was slain in 1304 after fighting courageously in the long defence of Urquhart Castle against Edward I. Early Scottish records of this name are scarce, but one John Forbes or Forbees is listed in an English roll from 1306 and another John de Forbes appears in the same records in 1358. William de Forbace is recorded as Canon of Aberdeen in 1464 and the family possessed that lordship as early as the time of William the Lion and was seated at Pitscottie, in the same shire in 1476. The burial of Annabell Forbess took place in the Kirk of Dysart in 1589 and James Forbesse and Ellen Vawser obtained a marriage license in London in 1550. Another distinguished member of this clan was Duncan Forbes (1685-1747), who became Lord President of the court of session in Scotland. A notable bearer of this name was B. C. Forbes, born at Fedderate in Aberdeenshire. He later became financial editor of the "New York Journal of Commerce" and the founder of "Forbes Magazine".

BLAZON OF ARMS:    Azure, three bears' heads couped argent, muzzled gules.

TRANSLATION: The bear symbolizes Ferocity and Bravery. Azure (blue) signifies Truth and Loyalty, Argent (white or silver) signifies Peace and Serenity, Gules (red) signifies Military Fortitude and Magnanimity.

CREST: A Stag's head with ten tines proper

MOTTO: Grace Me Guide

ORIGIN: SCOTLAND