Forrester Clan

Scottish Clans

Forrester Tartans & Clan

The Forrester clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most distinguished Border families, whose legacy spans from medieval royal foresters to global emigrants across America, Canada, and Australia, maintaining Highland traditions worldwide.

Clan Motto

Blow, Hunter, Wind Thy Horn

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Forrester Tartan?

Worn by Forrester descendants worldwide, sept families including Forester and Foster bearers, Border regiment members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

Forester

Foster

Forstar

Forster

Forrister

Fostar

Forrestor

MacForester

McForester

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Forrester warriors served with distinction in Border regiments, Scottish infantry units, and colonial forces, particularly excelling in North American frontier service and British Empire military campaigns.

King's Own Scottish Borderers

Royal Scots Fusiliers

Cameron Highlanders

Black Watch (Canada)

Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)

Toronto Scottish Regiment (Canada)

Shop Forrester Tartan Products

Discover authentic Forrester clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America.

Forrester Tartans

0 Variations

Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.

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Ancient Tartan

Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.

The Forrester Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Royal Foresters

The Forrester clan traces its origins to the ancient office of Royal Forester in the Ettrick Forest, first documented in the 12th century when King David I appointed hereditary keepers to manage Crown woodlands. The family established themselves as significant landholders in the Scottish Borders, with their principal seat at Corstorphine near Edinburgh. Early clan members served as sheriffs and royal officials, wielding considerable influence in medieval Scottish administration. The Forresters demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Scottish Crown, supporting independence throughout the Wars of Scottish Independence and Border conflicts with England.

Clan Expansion

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Forrester clan expanded their influence beyond forestry through strategic marriages and royal service. Sir John Forrester of Corstorphine served as Chamberlain of Scotland under King Robert III, while his descendants acquired extensive lands throughout the Lothians and Borders. The family weathered the turbulent Border wars, defending Scottish territory against English raids while maintaining their Presbyterian faith and Border traditions. Forresters distinguished themselves as skilled horsemen and warriors, earning recognition for their valor in numerous Border skirmishes and Scottish military campaigns.

Where does the name Forrester come from?

Forrester derives from the Old French 'forestier' meaning 'forest keeper' or 'royal forester.' The name originates from the hereditary office of Royal Forester, granted by Scottish kings to guard and manage Crown forests. This occupational surname reflects the clan's ancient duty as keepers of the Ettrick Forest in the Scottish Borders, where they held lands and forest rights from the 12th century under royal appointment.

Political Struggles

The 16th and 17th centuries brought both triumph and tragedy to the Forrester clan, with members serving in high court positions while facing religious persecution during the Covenanter conflicts. Notable clan members included Sir George Forrester, who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and his kinsmen who established cadet branches throughout Scotland and Ireland. The family supported the Presbyterian cause during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, suffering confiscation of some properties but maintaining their core Border holdings. Many Forresters emigrated to Ulster during the Plantation period, establishing the family name in Northern Ireland.

Global Expansion

The 18th and 19th centuries marked a period of global expansion for the Forrester clan, with members emigrating to North America, Australia, and New Zealand as pioneers and settlers. Clan members served as officers in Highland and Border regiments during the Napoleonic Wars, American Revolutionary War, and colonial conflicts throughout the British Empire. In Scotland, the family adapted to agricultural improvements and industrial changes while preserving their Border heritage. Distinguished Forresters emerged as merchants, scholars, and civic leaders in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Border towns, contributing significantly to Scottish cultural and economic development.

The Forrester tartan weaves together centuries of Border heritage, from royal forestry service to global diaspora, in distinctive patterns worn with ancestral pride.

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