Forrester Clan
Forrester Clan Crest: The head of a hound, erased Proper collared Gules.
Forrester Clan Motto: Blaw Hunter Blaw Thy Horn (Blow Hunter Blow Thy Horn).
Forrester Clan History: AN Archebald Forrester witnessed a grant to the Church of Lesmahagow c.1144, so from this we can ascertain that this family has been of prominence since the early twelfth century. Sir Adam Forrester, first of to be found at Corstorphine, in Midlothian, is generally considered to be the founder of the clan.
Sir Adam, a merchant, became Provost of Edinburgh, Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland and Deputy Chamberlain of Scotland. In 1376, he acquired the estate of Corstorphine, to the west of Edinburgh. Although Corstorphine Castle, encircled by a curtain wall with towers at each corner, was demolished in 1797, the effigies of three Forrester family members can be seen at the Collegiate Church.
Sir Adam’s son, Sir John Forrester also became Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland and was Chamberlain of Scotland and Keeper of the Household to James I. Thereafter, Forresters fought and died at the battles of Sauchieburn, Langside, Pinkie, Halidan Hill and Flodden.
1n 1633, Sir George Forrester was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia and raised to the peerage as Lord Forrester of Corstorphine. On his death the baronetcy became dormant, but the Forrester name and arms were assumed by his sons-in-law under a re-grant of the peerage. In the passage of time, the male line died out and the title passed through heiresses to the earls of Verulam.
However, various cadet branches continued, notably the Forresters of Niddry and the Forresters of Carden, who were appointed Heritable Keepers of Torwood Castle, which had been built around 1566. Eight family members served as Provosts of Stirling. The Forresters of Carden and Skipinch gained Strathendry Castle through marriage from the Strathendry family in the late 1400's.
Associated family names: Forrister, Forrister, Forester, Forrest, Forest, Foster.
Surname distribution in Scotland: The Forrester surname is most prevelant in Fife, Glasgow City, Strathclyde, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Angus, Dundee City, Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Places of Interest:
Corstorphine Collegiate Church (St John the Baptist's), 37 St Ninian's Loan, Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Built by Sir Adam Forrester who died in 1405.
Torwood Castle, Torwood, near Denny, Falkirk. Although not open to the public, the 16th century castle is currently being restored by the Torwood Castle Trust and can be viewed from the outside.
Strathendry Castle, Leslie, Glenrothes, Fife. A tower house which was occupied by the Forresters from 1496 until the early 1700's, when it passed through marriage to the Douglases Of Kirkness. Mary, Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell both stayed in the keep. It is now the headquarters of the Clan MacIver Society.