A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FORSYTH FAMILY

The Forsythe name is most likely Celtic in its origin, and derived from the Gaelic personal name "Fearsithe", meaning "man of peace".  

In the early history of the Forsyths in Scotland, they were known as the race of the Griffin.  The Griffin goes back to classic times and was well known to the Greek and Romans.  The Griffin has the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.  It denotes vigilance and strength.  The Forsyth Clan wore the Griffin on their crests, shields, banners and a demi-griffin on their coat-of-arms.

The Forsyths have always been a lowland "Family." The Forsyths are recognized as a "whole name", being descended from one blood founder, Robert de Fausid. The Clan Forsyth considers its name to be very special since there are only about a dozen "whole names" in Scotland.

One of the first official records of the Forsyth(e) name in Scotland is of a Robert de Fausid, in Edinburgh, and a William de Fauside, in Rokesburgh. In 1296 Robert de Fauside and William de Fauside signed the "Ragman Roll" by which the nobles and landowners of Scotland, after military defeat, were made to swear allegiance to Edward I of England. Subsequently, his descendants supporting King Robert the Bruce fought against the English to regain independence were rewarded with lands in Stirlingshire, and became members of the Scottish Royal Household.  

When the English invaded Scotland, the King called for someone to stop the raid until he had time to mass his forces.  Robert de Forsyth volunteered to do this.  He did it with less than 400 men and became a hero with poems written in his honor.  The Clan motto - Instaurator Ruinae (Restorer of the Ruins) was approved and granted to the Forsyths of Scotland for their services at the battle of Dykes.

Osbert, son of Robert de Forsyth, received a grant of lands at Sauchie in Stirlingshire from Robert the Bruce sometime after March 1306. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Bannonckburn in 1314 and received confirmation under the Great Seal of the realm of his lands in 1320. Osbert’s grandson was Constable of Stirling Castle in 1368-70.

David Forsyth of Dykes in Lanarkshire acquired his lands some time prior to 1488. His seal bore heraldry similar to the arms of de Fronsoc, and he specifically claimed them as his ancestors.

William Forsyth, baillie of Edinburgh around 1365 had, with other issue, a son, William, who, in 1423, moved to St Andrews and subsequently acquire the barony of Nydie.

Alexander 4^th Baron of Nydie was Sheriff Depute of Fife, and the arms assigned to him are recorded in Balfour’s Manuscript. Alexander died at Flodden in 1513. His grandson, James, married a substantial heiress, Elizabeth Leslie, granddaughter of the Earl of Rothes and great-granddaughter of James III.

The Forsyths of Nydie acquired lands around the royal Palace of Falkland. In 1451, William Forsyth was Master Steward of the Royal hunting Palace at Falkland. In 1538, John Forsyth was appointed King’s Macer and thereafter Falkland Pursuivant, and in 1548, John was created Kintyre Pursuivent for life. It is from the Falkland Forsyth lairds that the present chiefly line descends.

By the 16th century there was a recognized Clan with its own Chief. However, at the time of Oliver Cromwell many of the Scottish Records were lost and as a result re-registration was necessary. This took place between 1672 and 1676 and our Chief failed to register.

Reverend Alexander John Forsyth was an avid duck hunter, and a pioneer in the development of modern firearms. Because of the inefficiency of the old flintlock, Alexander began development of a more efficient firearm. His work led to the invention of the percussion lock, which replaced the flintlock in the 18^th century. Reverend Alexander Forsyth's invention is still in use in most firearms today. His workshop and his original gun is still on display in the Tower of London.

William Forsyth, born at Old Meldrum in 1737, was a distinguished horticulturist. In 1784, he was appointed Chief Superintendent of the Royal Gardens at Kensington and St James’ Palace. William was one of the founders of the famous Kew Gardens in London. In 1802 he published A Treatise on the Culture and Management of Fruit Trees which proved so popular that the first three editions were sold out. The Clan Plant Badge is "Forsythia" brought from China by William Forsyth. In honor of his name, the genus of plants was termed "forsythia". His portrait by Henry Raeburn hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The Forsyth tartan was devised about 1800 by William Forsyth, a tailor in Huntley, Aberdeenshire. William had been asked by the Dutchess of Gordon to devise a plaid for the newly raised regiment, the Gordon Highlanders in 1795. While doing this, William drew up one for the Forsyth family.

For over 300 years the Clan was unrecognized. The Forsyths had entered historical darkness around 1650 when Cromwell's ships carrying records of all the Clans as spoils of war, sank off Berwick on Tweed. The then chief failed to re-establish his claim to the name and his Armorial bearings when Charles II instituted a public register of Clans in 1672.

On St. Andrew's Day 1978 the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, once again recognized the Clan Forsyth as one of the old Clans of Scotland and Alistair Forsyth of that Ilk as the Clan's Chief. Today, Clan Forsyth is an active Clan, with members throughout the world. We invite all Forsyth(e)s or descendants of Forsyth(e)s to join us.

The beautiful Forsyth Coat of Arms

Learn more about the history of the Forsyth family by clicking "Ancient Forsyth History"