Forbes

Meaning

A person from Forbes, a place in Aberdeenshire meaning 'field' or 'pasture.'

Etymology

Derived from the Gaelic 'forba' (field) or a place name in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The surname became established among Scottish nobility and was borne by families with significant landholdings in the northeast.

About the Forbes Surname

Forbes is a Scottish surname originating from Aberdeenshire, where the family held substantial lands and political influence. The name became prominent through various notable bearers in Scottish commerce, politics, and publishing.

Distribution & Frequency

Concentrated in northeastern Scotland, particularly Aberdeenshire, with populations throughout Scotland and significant diaspora in North America.

Forbes Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

People with the Forbes Surname