A topographical surname, from Middle English for someone who lived or worked in a Royal forest (area of woodland reserved for hunting)
"The man named Forrest proudly displayed his family crest, tracing their lineage back to those who once guarded the royal woods."
The English surname Forrest originated as a translation of the word "forest" used in various languages by early settlers. It was also derived directly from the English noun forest to describe someone who lived near or worked within wooded areas.