Surname des Forest - Meaning and Origin
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des Forest: What does the surname des Forest mean?
The last name des Forrest is a French surname, likely originating in Normandy. Des Forrest can be broken down into two parts: “des” and “forest”. The “des” is a French article meaning “of the” and the “forest” is a French word meaning “forest”. Therefore, the name des Forrest literally translates to “of the forest”.
It is believed that the surname was originally a locational name that referred to people who lived in or near the forest. It is also believed that it could have been given to travelers and trades people who often dealt with goods sourced from the forest. Another theory suggests that family members who settled in or near a forest adopted the name to identify themselves more readily among the locals.
While the literal translation of the surname is obvious, it could also carry a symbolic meaning. In French culture, forests were often seen as a symbol of strength and courage. People who adopted the des Forrest surname may have hoped to exemplify these qualities and honor their ancestors.
Regardless of its origin, des Forrest is a unique and distinct surname that is most commonly associated with those of French ancestry. It has followed its bearers through the centuries as they have navigated different cultures and regions, providing them a link to their family’s past while inspiring them to embrace both their heritage and the values of courage and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisdes Forest: Where does the name des Forest come from?
The last name Des Forest is most common in France, with its origin said to be derived from the French word for ‘forest’. Today, the name is found concentrated in the northern region of Normandy, particularly around the coastline and the area known as the Cotentin Peninsula. It is also quite common in Brussels in Belgium, reflecting the area's historical ties to both countries. Des Forest is also found in pockets of names in other countries, including the US and Canada, mostly among French immigrants from a few generations ago.
The inhabitants of the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, France, have the most Des Forest family members today, as one of their original ancestral families in the area was Des Forest. The name is typically associated with nobility and can be found in documents dating back to the early Middle Ages. In the 17th century, the family was among the first settlers of the French colonies in Louisiana. Des Forest immigrants also made their way into the United States, particularly to the city of New Orleans, during this period.
These days, the name is still popular in Normandy and in the French-speaking parts of Belgium, with Des Forest families being found even in some of the furthest reaches of rural France. While it may not be as common in other parts of the world, the name does have some degree of recognition, as evidenced by its appearance in documents and records from centuries ago.
Variations of the surname des Forest
The surname Des Forest is classified as a habitation name, which means it is derived from a place name where a person once lived. The variants and spellings of Des Forest are Desforges, Desfours, Desforges, Des Forets, Des Forez, Desforest, DesFOREY, Desfraie, Forêt, fourêt, Desfours, Desfournieres, Desfourniez, Desforeau, Desforet, Desforets, Desformedeaux, Deforest, Des Foreaux, and Desfoer.
The surname Des Forest likely originated from any of the places with the name Forest in Normandy. The primary place with the name Forest was formerly in the pays de Caux, canton of Yvetot. It was an old seigneury and lordship about 1180. In the 12th century, Forest was granted to Walter Des Forest, a vassal of the duchy of Normandy. The variants with the spelling Desfours, Desforeau, Desforet, and Desformedeaux are derivative of the Latter-day spelling of the surname, Des Forets.
The surname Des Forest has its ultimate origin from the Latin term foresta, which means a natural dense jungle or uncultivated land. It also can mean a wood pasture or deer park in which game is kept. The Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the foresta is ‘weald,’ which is also a place name.
In the 16th century, when more accurate records began to be recorded in Europe, Des Forest was the official Latin spelling and the modern spelling Des Forest is derived from it. This surname and all its spellings are mostly found in northern France, mainly in Normandy, and in Belgium.
Famous people with the name des Forest
- François de La Forest, Early Modern French philosopher
- Louis de La Forest, Early Modern French diplomat
- Jean-Marie de La Forest, French Counter-Revolutionary thinker
- Xavier de La Forest, French jurist
- Pierre de La Forest, French mathematician
- Marc de La Forest, French politician
- Jean de La Forest, French poet
- Bellannée de La Forest, French aristocrat
- Charles de La Forest, French metaphysical poet
- Michel de La Forest, Bishop of Chartres