Scottish Surnames of Clan Forbes – Origins, Tartans and Clan History

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If your surname is Forbes, Bannerman, Michie, or Lumsden, you may carry the blood of one of Scotland’s oldest and most powerful clans. The Scottish surnames of Clan Forbes stretch back more than a thousand years. They are tied to the rough hills and river valleys of Aberdeenshire, where this fierce northeast clan once ruled.

Clan Forbes is no minor player in Scottish history. Its members fought at some of Scotland’s most decisive battles. They built grand castles still standing today. And when the Clearances drove thousands from their homes, Forbes descendants scattered to North America, Australia, and New Zealand — carrying their identity with them.

Whether you are tracing your roots or simply want to understand your Scottish heritage, this guide covers everything you need to know about Clan Forbes.

The Origins of the Forbes Name

The Forbes name comes from Gaelic. The word “Forbhasach” means bold or forward-leaning. It is said to describe a warrior named Ochoncar, who lived around 775 CE. According to clan tradition, Ochoncar killed a savage bear that had been terrorising the people of Aberdeenshire. As a reward for his courage, the land was named after him. Over time, “the land of Forbhasach” shortened to Forbes.

The name first appears in written records in 1271. That year, King Alexander III granted “ye landis of Forbes and Kern” to a man called Duncan de Forbeys. From that moment, the clan’s hold on northeast Scotland was official.

The clan’s motto is “Grace me guide”. Their crest shows a stag’s head. Both reflect the values the clan held dear — faith, alertness, and strength in the wild country of Aberdeenshire.

If you are researching your Scottish roots, start with our full guide: How to Trace Your Scottish Ancestry.

The Clan Forbes Septs — Associated Surnames

Scottish clans were not made up of one family alone. Septs were smaller family groups that fought under a clan’s banner and shared its protection. Many septs took on the clan chief’s name over time. Others kept their own surnames but remained loyal to Forbes.

Here are the main septs and associated surnames of Clan Forbes:

Primary Septs:

• Bannerman — The hereditary standard-bearers of Clan Forbes. The Bannerman family carried the clan’s flag into battle.
• Fordyce — An ancient Aberdeenshire family with long ties to Forbes lands.
• Michie — Spread through Morayshire via intermarriage with the Forbes line.
• Lumsden — A northeast family closely allied to Forbes for generations.
• Meldrum — Tied to the Forbes heartland in Aberdeenshire.
• Watt / Watson — Common surnames connected to Forbes lands and tenants.
• Boyce / Boyes — A recognised sept of the clan.
• Berry / Berrie — A smaller associated family name.

Variant Spellings of Forbes:
The surname Forbes itself appears in many forms in old records. You may find your ancestor listed as Fobes, Forbas, Forbesh, Forbis, Forbus, Forbush, or Furbish. All are likely Forbes in origin.

If your family name is Bannerman or Michie, you may have Forbes blood — even if you never suspected it. These surnames pop up frequently in Aberdeenshire parish records from the 17th and 18th centuries.

You may also want to explore Clan Gordon, which held neighbouring lands in Aberdeenshire and often clashed — and occasionally allied — with the Forbes clan across the centuries.

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The Forbes Clan Tartan

Every Scottish clan has a tartan, and Forbes is no exception. The Clan Forbes tartan dates to 1819. It appears in the Key Pattern Books of Wilson of Bannockburn, one of Scotland’s great tartan records.

The Forbes tartan combines forest green, royal blue, black, and creamy white. It is bold but not flashy. It looks like the hills and rivers of Aberdeenshire — dark, earthy, and strong.

There are three main versions:

• Modern Forbes — Bright, clear colours for everyday wear
• Ancient Forbes — Softer tones that reflect natural dyes from centuries past
• Dress Forbes — A brighter version for formal occasions and Highland gatherings

If you attend a Scottish heritage event or a clan gathering, wearing the Forbes tartan is a visible way to honour your ancestry.

A Clan Built on War and Honour — Key History

Clan Forbes did not rise to power quietly. It earned its place through battle, loyalty, and fierce defence of its lands.

The Battle of Harlaw (1411)

The Battle of Harlaw was one of the most brutal fights in Scottish history. On 24 July 1411, two great forces clashed near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. Donald, Lord of the Isles, marched east with thousands of men to claim the Earldom of Ross. Standing in his way was a smaller force of northeast Scottish men — including the Forbes clan.

Alexander Forbes fought at Harlaw and distinguished himself in combat. He held his ground when many others fell. His bravery caught the eye of Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Mar, who commanded the northeast forces.

The battle ended in heavy losses on both sides. But the Lord of the Isles did not take Aberdeen. The city held. And the Forbes name grew in reputation across Scotland.

Alexander Forbes was rewarded for his service. He married Elizabeth Douglas, granddaughter of King Robert III, in 1421. He received the lands of Alford in 1423. By 1442, he had taken his seat as a Lord of Parliament.

For more on Scotland’s fierce clan battles, read our article on the Glencoe Massacre, another defining moment in Highland history.

The Jacobite Rising (1745–1746)

The Forbes clan did not speak with one voice during the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Like many Scottish families, it was divided.

Duncan Forbes of Culloden was a powerful government man. As Lord President of the Court of Session, he worked hard to keep Highland chiefs away from Bonnie Prince Charlie’s cause. He personally persuaded several clan leaders to stay loyal to the Hanoverian crown. The famous Battle of Culloden was fought on 16 April 1746 — on his own estate.

But not every Forbes backed the government. Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Pitsligo, was 65 years old when he joined the Jacobite cause. He served as the Prince’s Master of Horse. After Culloden, he spent years as a fugitive, hiding in caves and outbuildings across northeast Scotland. His estates were taken. His title was stripped. He never saw his home again.

The Forbes story from 1745 captures the wider tragedy of Jacobite Scotland. Family against family. Brothers on opposite sides. And a Highland way of life that would never fully recover.

If you want to understand which other great clans stood on each side of that divide, our guide to the clans of Scotland gives a broad overview.

The Great Forbes Castles of Aberdeenshire

Few clans left as many castles standing as the Forbes family. Drive through Aberdeenshire today and you will pass Forbes strongholds at almost every turn.

Craigievar Castle is the most beautiful. Built in 1626 by William Forbes, a wealthy merchant known as “Danzig Willie,” this pink tower house rises from green lawns like something from a fairy tale. The Forbes family held it for 350 years. The National Trust for Scotland took it over in 1963, and it is open to visitors today.

Druminnor Castle served as the chief seat of Clan Forbes for more than 500 years. It passed out of Forbes hands in 1770 but was bought back in 1955 by Margaret Forbes-Sempill, restoring it to the family after 185 years. You can arrange visits today.

Castle Forbes is the current seat of the clan chief. Rebuilt in 1815, it remains the home of the 23rd Lord Forbes, Malcolm Nigel Forbes, Premier Lord of Scotland.

Tolquhon Castle was built between 1584 and 1589 by William Forbes, 7th Laird. It now stands as a roofless ruin — but a dramatic one, with its gatehouse and towers still intact.

Corgarff Castle sits high in the hills of Strathdon, deep in Forbes country. Built by the Forbes of Towie in the mid-16th century, it later became a government garrison after the Jacobite risings.

If you plan to visit these sites, our guide to planning a Scottish heritage trip will help you make the most of the journey.

The Forbes Migration — Spreading Across the World

The Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries forced thousands of Scots off their ancestral lands. Landlords replaced people with sheep. Entire communities were evicted. Many had no choice but to leave Scotland.

Forbes families were among those who emigrated. They settled in:

• Nova Scotia, Canada — Thousands of Highland Scots poured into Cape Breton and the mainland during the Clearances. Forbes descendants are well-documented in Nova Scotia’s genealogical records.
• Colonial America — Forbes settlers arrived in the American colonies before the Revolution. Their descendants spread across the eastern states.
• Australia — Scottish emigrants, including Forbes families, reached Australia between the 1830s and 1860s. There is even a town called Forbes in New South Wales, named after a Scottish governor.
• New Zealand — The far south attracted Scottish settlers who brought their clan identities with them.

If you believe your family left Aberdeenshire during this era, parish records from Scotland’s People can help you trace the exact year and ship. Our 7-day Scottish ancestry itinerary shows you how to combine genealogy research with a heritage visit to Aberdeenshire.

Famous People of Forbes Heritage

The Forbes name has reached every corner of the world — and touched some remarkable lives.

B.C. Forbes (1880–1954) was born in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, the son of a Scottish storekeeper. He moved to America and founded Forbes magazine in 1917. His Aberdeenshire roots were the foundation of everything he built.

Malcolm Forbes (1919–1990) — B.C.’s son — turned the magazine into a global brand. He was known as much for his flamboyant lifestyle as his business acumen. He kept a Fabergé egg collection, rode motorcycles into his seventies, and never forgot his Scottish origins.

Steve Forbes (born 1947) — Malcolm’s son — continues to run Forbes magazine today. He twice ran for the US presidency. The Forbes family name, rooted in a small Aberdeenshire town, now belongs to one of America’s most recognisable business dynasties.

Tracing Your Forbes Ancestry — Where to Start

If you think you may have Forbes blood, here is how to begin your search.

Scotland’s People (scotlandspeople.gov.uk) is the best starting point. This national database holds birth, marriage, and death records from 1553 onwards. It also holds census returns from 1841 to 1911, church records, and wills. You can search online from anywhere in the world.

The Clan Forbes Society (clan-forbes.org) offers genealogical guidance and can point you to professional researchers who know Aberdeenshire records well.

The National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh holds physical records if you want to visit in person.

Local Archives in Aberdeenshire — The Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives hold local records that do not appear online. If your ancestors lived in Alford, Inverurie, or the Strathdon valley, these archives are worth contacting.

When searching, look for records from parishes in Aberdeenshire — particularly around Alford, Towie, Cluny, Keig, and Forbes itself. These were the heart of clan territory. Old Parish Records from these areas often contain Forbes and sept surnames in large numbers.

Visiting Forbes Country Today

Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s least-visited corners. That means you will not fight for parking spaces at Craigievar or jostle for photographs at Druminnor. This is heritage country on a human scale.

What to do in Forbes country:

• Visit Craigievar Castle (National Trust for Scotland) and walk through rooms that William Forbes built in 1626
• See Castle Forbes, the current chief’s seat, near Alford — the village remains the heart of Forbes country
• Explore the ruins of Tolquhon Castle near Tarves
• Climb to Corgarff Castle in Strathdon for views across the Forbes heartland
• Walk the kirkyard at Forbes Parish Church near Alford — headstones here go back centuries

The nearest large city is Aberdeen, about 30 miles east. Edinburgh is roughly three hours by road. If you are planning a heritage journey through northeast Scotland, read our heritage trip planning guide for a step-by-step approach.

The land around Alford is green and rolling. The rivers run fast. The sky feels enormous. Standing in the Don Valley, you understand why the Forbes clan fought so hard to hold onto this place — and why those who left never quite forgot it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clan Forbes

What does the Forbes name mean?

Forbes comes from the Gaelic word “Forbhasach,” meaning bold or forward-leaning. The name is linked to a legendary warrior who killed a bear in Aberdeenshire around 775 CE. The lands named after him eventually became the Forbes clan’s ancestral homeland.

What are the septs of Clan Forbes?

The main septs of Clan Forbes include Bannerman, Fordyce, Michie, Lumsden, Meldrum, Watt, Watson, Boyce, and Berry. If your surname appears on this list, you may have Forbes ancestry, particularly if your family came from Aberdeenshire.

Where is the Forbes clan homeland?

Clan Forbes is based in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland. The historic clan heartland runs through the Don Valley, around the towns of Alford, Inverurie, and Strathdon. Castle Forbes near Alford remains the seat of the current clan chief.

Who is the current chief of Clan Forbes?

The current chief is Malcolm Nigel Forbes, the 23rd Lord Forbes, who holds the title of Premier Lord of Scotland. He succeeded to the position in 2013 and resides at Castle Forbes in Aberdeenshire.

Did the Forbes clan support the Jacobites?

The Forbes clan was divided. Duncan Forbes of Culloden actively opposed the Jacobite rising of 1745 and worked to keep Highland chiefs loyal to the Hanoverian crown. But Alexander Forbes, Lord Pitsligo, supported Bonnie Prince Charlie and lost his estates as a result. Both men were Forbes — on opposite sides of the same conflict.

What is the Forbes tartan?

The Forbes tartan dates to 1819. It combines forest green, royal blue, black, and creamy white. Three versions exist: Modern Forbes, Ancient Forbes, and Dress Forbes. All three reflect the rugged landscape of Aberdeenshire.

Where did Forbes clan members emigrate?

Forbes families settled across the world, particularly after the Highland Clearances. Major destinations include Nova Scotia in Canada, the eastern United States (from colonial times), Australia (especially New South Wales), and New Zealand. There is even a town called Forbes in New South Wales, named after a Scottish governor.

Your ancestors left Scotland. They carried the Forbes name — or a sept name tied to Forbes — across oceans and into new countries. That name is still yours. And the land it came from is still there, waiting in the green valleys of Aberdeenshire.

Come back and see it.

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