Forrestal (surname)
Forrestal or Forristal (Irish: Ó Fuireastal), is an old Irish surname common in the southeast of Ireland, namely in the counties of Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford.
Alternate spellings
The name has been spelled in many different forms, all of which are related to the same family including; O'Forristal, Forrestal, Forristal, Forestal, Forestal, Forrestall, Foristal, and in medieval times, Forstall. Forestell is a variation found in Canada. Also, in Gaelic Irish as Ó Fuireastal (pronounced O'Furristhawl), Mac Fuireastal, and Mac An Choill.[1]
History and ancestry
The Forristals were rooted in Glenmore parish, County Kilkenny, where they held several castles, some of which were located at Forristalstown, Carrickcloney and Mullenahone.[2]
The family is listed in the medieval records of Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford. They are shown aligning themselves through marriage with the Catholic nobility of Ireland thru marriage alliances with the Kavanaghs, FitzGeralds, O'Neills, Alywards, Cantwells, O'Bolgers, Butlers of Ormond and O'Kennedys, which through these marriages they share common ancestors and bloodlines. [3] Many of the modern day Forrestals descend from these noble unions.
The family motto, "In corda inimicorum regis", is likely taken from the Latin Vulgate's rendering of Psalm 45:5, and means "in the hearts of the king's enemies." In modern translation, the full verse is: "Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet" (New International Version).[4]
People
- James Forrestal, (1892–1949), First United States Secretary of Defense
- Michael Forrestal, one of the leading aides to McGeorge Bundy, the national security adviser of President John F. Kennedy
- Laurence Forristal, (born 1931) retired Irish Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Ossory from 1981 to 2007.
- Desmond Forristal, Irish priest, writer and filmmaker.
- Scott Forstall, American software engineer, best known for leading the original software development team for the iPhone and iPad.
- Edmund J. Forstall, developer of the Forstall System in 1842 in Louisiana
- Michael Forrestall, Canadian Senator & Member of Parliament
- Harry Forestell, Canadian Journalist
References
- ↑ "Forrestal households in mid-19th century Ireland". Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ↑ "The Forrestall Family Early Documented History". Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ↑ Memorials of The Forstall Family. Genealogical Office, Dublin, Ireland: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. 26 November 1999. pp. 439–444.
- ↑ https://biblehub.com/vul/psalms/45.htm