Surname de Forest - Meaning and Origin
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de Forest: What does the surname de Forest mean?
The last name de Forest is of French origin, and it is a locational surname derived from the Old French "de[s] la," which means "of the." It is typical of surnames that originate from a place name. In this case, the surname likely comes from the Old French forest meaning "forest."
In the Middle Ages, a forest was a defined area of land, usually owned by a noble or royal family, that contained wild game, natural resources, and roads and trails for hunting purposes. The families that resided in forest areas were known as foresters, and they were usually in charge of maintaining and taking care of the forest areas. The areas were usually referred to geographically, such as the de Forest of Boulogne or the de Forest of X, which would eventually become the surnames.
The spelling of the surname may also have been influenced by the French words denfray and defrene. Denfray means "of a clearing or pasture in a forest" and defrene may have been a variant of denfray.
The name de Forest is a proud reminder of the brave individuals who chose to live and thrive in the harsh wilderness and take care of the natural resources within it.
Order DNA origin analysisde Forest: Where does the name de Forest come from?
The last name de Forest is most commonly found today in Europe, the United States, and Canada. It is especially prevalent in the Netherlands, where it is used by around 5,250 people. In France, 5,000 people bear the surname, while in Canada, the United States, and England, around 3,000 individuals carry the name.
In addition, there are many German citizens who possess the name de Forest, with an estimated 1,750 individuals located primarily in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. In the United States, the largest concentrations of people with the name de Forest are in California, Texas, and New York.
The origin of the name is believed to come from either France or Germany, and is related to the old French words "de Forestia", which refer to forests and forested areas. Over time, the name has been extended to include scenic areas, such as de Forest Mountain in California.
The name de Forest is a unique surname which carries with it its own set of impressive characteristics. It has a long and fascinating history, one which is rooted in European culture, and is still present in several countries around the world today.
Variations of the surname de Forest
The surname de Forest has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, dating back to ancient Europe. De Forest is derived from the Old French term "forest," which literally means "forest." In modern French, it is spelled "forêt." It is an Old French habitational name from any of the numerous places so named in France such as Forest-en-Argonne in Meuse and Forest-la-Ville in Cher.
Variants of the surname de Forest include Forest, la Forest, Forestier, and Forester. One should also consider the spelling variants Deforrest, Deforest, De Forêt, De Forest, D’Forest, D'Forest, and D'Forêt.
Additional variations of the surname de Forest can be found throughout Europe, with variations such as de la Forest in Italy, de Foresta in Spain, and de Foret in the Netherlands.
In addition to the variants of this surname, there are numerous other surnames of similar origin. Foresta, Foresti, Forastiere, Forestaert, Foret, Forster, and Forst, among others, are all related to de Forest.
The oldest recorded form of the surname de Forest dates back to 1302 in France, where it has remained in use ever since. It has been common spelling of this surname since at least the 16th century.
Famous people with the name de Forest
- Kandyse McClure: Canadian actress.
- John de Forest: American novelist and Civil War veteran.
- Lee de Forest: American inventor and pioneer in radio broadcasting and sound recording.
- Henri de Forest: co-founder of Shell Oil Company.
- Alexandre de Forest: French racing cyclist.
- Albert Augustus Howell: American admiral and naval commander of World War 1.
- Jacques de Forest: Dutch sailor who sailed around the world with his father as a teenager.
- Alfredo de Forest: American real estate developer and investor.
- Antonio Lourenço de Forest: Portuguese politician and member of the Portuguese Constituent Assembly.
- Frank T. de Forest: American businessman.