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Clan Forbes

Grace Me Guide

Clan Forbes takes its name from the lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, granted by Alexander III to Duncan de Forbeys in 1271 (or 1272 in the later calendar). The family was made a Lord of Parliament by July 1442 and built Druminnor Castle, which was its chief residence until the 16th Lord Forbes sold it in 1770, while a long-running feud with Clan Gordon broke into open fighting in the 1560s and 1570s. The chief today is Malcolm, 23rd Lord Forbes, named as Clan Chief by the Council of Scottish Clans & Associations and by the Clan Forbes Society, although no Forbes entry appears on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' current member list.

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Clan Forbes Crest

Clan Forbes Crest

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Personalized Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration ND62

Personalized Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
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£20.00 GBP
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Bagpiper Ornament

Forbes · Ancient

Personalized Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration RL77

Personalized Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From £16.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
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Bagpiper Ornament

Forbes · Modern

Personalized Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration TN90

Personalized Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration TN90

Personalized Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From £16.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP
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Bagpiper Ornament

Forbes · Meldrum

Personalized Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From £16.00 GBP
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From £16.00 GBP
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Drummer Ornament

Forbes · Modern

Personalized Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From £16.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP
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Drummer Ornament

Forbes · Ancient

Forbes Brown Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name

Personalized Clan Forbes Brown Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Forbes Brown Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions...
From £16.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
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Bagpiper Ornament

Forbes · Brown Ancient

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Hoodie Crest DKXI305W-1 Forbes Ancient Tartan Hoodies Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Hoodie Crest DKXI305W-1 Forbes Ancient Tartan Hoodies

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Hoodie Crest - Forbes Ancient

Forbes Ancient Tartan Clan Hoodie Crest Details: Our 95% polyester and 5% spandex hoodies produce high-quality thermal-transfer printed products that keep you comfortable, cool, and dry while you work and play. The use of high-tech graphic prints on hoodies, as well as vibrant designs...
£44.00 GBP
£44.00 GBP
  • Forbes Ancient

Tartan Hoodie

Forbes · Ancient

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Pillow CoverClan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Pillow Cover, view 2

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Pillow Cover - Forbes Ancient Tartan Clan

Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Pillow Cover - Tartan Cushion Cover Product detail: Made of 50% cotton / 50% polyester material, soft and comfortable texture. With pre-shrunk fabric, machine washable at 60. Zippered opening style. Both functional and decorative. Discover the Clan Forbes heritage page,...
£20.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
  • Forbes Ancient Tartan Clan

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Pillow Cover

Forbes

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Crest Garden FlagClan Forbes Modern Tartan Crest Garden Flag, view 2

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Crest Garden Flag - Forbes Modern Tartan Clan

Forbes Modern Tartan Clan Crest Garden Flag Product Detail: Welcome guests to your home with this seasonal flag. Available in 2 sizes: Small size 12'x18' and Large size 28'x40' Material: 100% polyester, PU and carbon black. Weatherproof and fade resistant fabric will not fray...
£28.00 GBP
£28.00 GBP
  • Forbes Modern Tartan Clan

Tartan Flag

Forbes

Meldrum Forbes tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Meldrum crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Meldrum Forbes tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Meldrum crest

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Meldrum Forbes Tartan

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Meldrum Forbes tartan with the crest badge of Clan Meldrum printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in the centre....
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP
  • Meldrum Forbes Tartan

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Forbes · Meldrum Tartan

Forbes Modern tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Forbes crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Forbes Modern tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Forbes crest

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Forbes Modern Tartan

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Forbes Modern tartan with the crest badge of Clan Forbes printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in the centre....
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP
  • Forbes Modern Tartan

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Forbes · Modern Tartan

Forbes Ancient tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Forbes crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Forbes Ancient tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Forbes crest

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Forbes Ancient Tartan

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Forbes Ancient tartan with the crest badge of Clan Forbes printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in the centre....
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP
  • Forbes Ancient Tartan

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Forbes · Ancient Tartan

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Meldrum Forbes tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Meldrum" on the Santa hat

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Meldrum Forbes tartan. The white fur band of the hat carries the...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Forbes · Meldrum

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Forbes Modern tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Forbes" on the Santa hat

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Forbes Modern tartan. The white fur band of the hat carries the...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Forbes · Modern

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Forbes Ancient tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Forbes" on the Santa hat

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Forbes Ancient tartan. The white fur band of the hat carries the...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Forbes · Ancient

Christmas piper ornament in the Meldrum Forbes tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Meldrum Forbes tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Meldrum Forbes tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper, so the...
From £20.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
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Tartan Ornament

Forbes · Meldrum

Christmas piper ornament in the Forbes Modern tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Forbes Modern tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Forbes Modern tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper, so the...
From £20.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
Save £5.00

Tartan Ornament

Forbes · Modern

Christmas piper ornament in the Forbes Ancient tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Forbes Ancient tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Forbes Ancient tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper, so the...
From £20.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
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Tartan Ornament

Forbes · Ancient

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Meldrum Forbes tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Meldrum Forbes tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Meldrum Forbes tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and our designers...
From £20.00 GBP
£26.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
Save £6.00

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Forbes · Meldrum

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Forbes Modern tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Forbes Modern tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Forbes Modern tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and our designers...
From £20.00 GBP
£26.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
Save £6.00

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Forbes · Modern

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Forbes Ancient tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Forbes Ancient tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Forbes Ancient tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and our designers...
From £20.00 GBP
£26.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
Save £6.00

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Forbes · Ancient

Clan Meldrum crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Meldrum Forbes tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Meldrum Forbes tartan behind the thistle

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Meldrum Forbes tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose your design:...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP

Clan Meldrum Forbes Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Forbes · Meldrum

Clan Forbes crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Forbes Modern tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Forbes Modern tartan behind the thistle

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Forbes Modern tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose your design:...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP

Clan Forbes Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Forbes · Modern

Clan Forbes crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Forbes Ancient tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Forbes Ancient tartan behind the thistle

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Forbes Ancient tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose your design:...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP

Clan Forbes Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Forbes · Ancient

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Tartan Identity

Clan Forbes’s Tartans

Forbes tartan swatch

Forbes

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Forbes of Druinnor

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Discover the Full Forbes Collection

Personalised gifts, apparel and heritage decor for Clan Forbes.

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The Forbes Story

  1. 1271-72

    Alexander III grants the lands of Forbes and Kearn to Duncan de Forbeys[2]

  2. 24 Jul 1411

    Alexander Forbes fights at the Battle of Harlaw[3]

  3. 1440

    Alexander, 1st Lord Forbes, begins building Druminnor Castle[5]

  4. by Jul 1442

    Forbes is made a Lord of Parliament[3]

  5. 1452

    James, 2nd Lord Forbes, fights for the Earl of Huntly at the Battle of Brechin[4]

  6. 28 Oct 1562

    William, 7th Lord Forbes leads local clans against Huntly's Gordons at Corrichie[6]

  7. 10 Oct-20 Nov 1571

    Forbes-Gordon fighting at Tillieangus and Craibstane[6]

  8. 1770

    Druminnor and other Forbes estates are sold off to pay debts[5]

  9. 1975

    Druminnor Castle is reacquired by the Forbes family (Andrew Forbes, father of the present owner)[5]

Clan Forbes Crest & Plant Badge

Plant badgeBroom

Visit the Forbes Homeland

Map of Scotland with Forbes places marked

Druminnor Castle, Aberdeenshire

Begun in 1440 by Alexander, 1st Lord Forbes; sold by the 16th Lord Forbes in 1770; bought back by Andrew Forbes in 1975.[5]

Map outline: Natural Earth (public domain). Pins use official Historic Environment Scotland grid references.

Clan Forbes Today

ChiefMalcolm, 23rd Lord Forbes (named as Clan Chief by the Council of Scottish Clans & Associations and by the Clan Forbes Society). No Forbes entry appears on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' current member list.
Clan societyClan Forbes Society

Surnames linked to Clan Forbes

These family names are connected with Clan Forbes. Each list says who records the link.

Listed by the clan society or COSCA

  • Bannerman
  • Berry
  • Boyce
  • Fordyce
  • Lumsden
  • Meldrum
  • Michie
  • Middleton
  • Walter
  • Waters
  • Watson
  • Watt
  • Watts

Not your surname? Find your clan by surname →

Questions about Clan Forbes

What is the Forbes motto?

Grace Me Guide.

Who is the chief of Clan Forbes?

Malcolm, 23rd Lord Forbes, as named by the Council of Scottish Clans & Associations and by the Clan Forbes Society; he does not appear on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' current member list.

Where does the Forbes name come from?

From the lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, granted by Alexander III to Duncan de Forbeys in 1271 or 1272.

What was the Forbes-Gordon feud?

A long-running conflict between the two Aberdeenshire families that broke into open fighting at the Battle of Corrichie in 1562 and at Tillieangus and Craibstane in 1571.

What happened to Druminnor Castle?

Begun in 1440 as the Forbes seat, it was sold by the 16th Lord Forbes in 1770 to pay off debts, then bought back by Andrew Forbes in 1975; his son Alexander owns it now.

Sources

  1. Find a clan: Forbes, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA)
  2. Origins of Clan Forbes, Clan Forbes Society
  3. The Rise of Forbes from 'Reid Harlaw', Clan Forbes Society
  4. Battle of Brechin and James, 2nd Lord Forbes, Clan Forbes Society
  5. Druminnor Castle, Clan Forbes Society
  6. Clan Feud: Forbes vs. Gordon, Clan Forbes Society
  7. Members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
  8. Castle Forbes, Clan Forbes Society