Notes |
- The family name originated from the village of Forest in the canton of
Landrecies near Avesnes, France. The first record of the de Forest
family was published in 1660 by Jean le Carpentier in his history of
Cambresis in which he mentions Hubert de Forest, a Chevalier of the
First Crusade in 1096. Between 1111 and 1120, Gerard de Forest
witnessed a gift made by the Countess of Flanders and the Durchess of
Lorraine in St. Amanden-Pevele. In 1171, Hugues de Forest and his
brother Gilles made a gift of land to the Abbey of Marchiennes. A
little later, in 1180, the Chevalier Ansel de Forest of Cambresis is
mentioned as having sold "church tenths". Records of 1221 mention
Gautier de Forest as Provost of Quesnoy and Bailli of Ghent. Seven
years later, in 1228, Walter de Forest was Bailli of the Counties of
Flanders and Hainaut, and a Pierre de Forest is mentioned in records
of 1233. In 1383 to 1384 the records of the Count of Hainaut speak of
purchasing two pigs from Jehan de Forest at a feast held in honor of
St. Jehan in Quesnoy. There are other references to Jehan de Forest
during this same period. In 1408, Thomas de Forest was taxed in the
domain of Forest, and in 1436 there is mention of a freehold held by
the Abbey and acquired from Thomas de Forest. In 1466, Pierre de
Forest is mentioned in connection with several houses, fields and
lands. In 1491, there is mention of Gilles, Gaspard and Melchoir de
Forest.
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