Forrestal, Forristal, or Forstall (

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

: Ó Fuireastal), is an ancient Irish surname from the southeast of Ireland, and still exists today primarily in the counties of Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford. Settlement has also been established in Southampton England

Alternate spellings

The name has been spelled in many different forms, all of which are related to the same family including; Forristal, Forrestal, Forristal, Forestal, Forrestall, Foristal, and in medieval times, Forstall (a name still used in present-day Louisiana). Forestell is a variation found in Canada. Also, in Gaelic Irish as Ó Fuireastal (pronounced Furristhawl), Mac Fuireastal, Mac Coillte, Ó Coillte, and Mac An Choill.

History and ancestry

The Forstalls or Forrestals were present in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, from at least the thirteenth century. The family held castles at Kilfera, Mullennahone, Forrestalstown, and Carrickcloney. Glenmore Parish

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 through marriage alliances with the FitzGeralds, Aylwards, Cantwells, O'Bolgers, Butlers of Ormond and

O'Kennedy The O'Kennedy family (Irish: ''Ó Cinnéide''), sometimes Kennedy, were an Irish royal dynasty, a sept of the Dál gCais, founded in the Middle Ages who were Kings of Ormond. Their founder was the nephew of High King Brian Boru (1002–1014). ...

s, which through these marriages they share common ancestors and bloodlines. 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 The Vulgate (; also called (Bible in common tongue), ) is a late-4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. The Vulgate is largely the work of Jerome who, in 382, had been commissioned by Pope Damasus I to revise the Gospels u ...

'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).

People

* Elaine Forrestal (born 1941), Australian children's writer *

James Forrestal James Vincent Forrestal (February 15, 1892 – May 22, 1949) was the last Cabinet-level United States Secretary of the Navy and the first United States Secretary of Defense. Forrestal came from a very strict middle-class Irish Catholic fami ...

, (1892–1949), First United States Secretary of Defense *

Michael Forrestal Michael Vincent Forrestal (November 26, 1927 – January 11, 1989) was one of the leading aides to McGeorge Bundy, the National Security Advisor of President John F. Kennedy. He was seen as a pivotal figure in the changing of U.S. foreign policy ...

, one of the leading aides to

McGeorge Bundy McGeorge "Mac" Bundy (March 30, 1919 – September 16, 1996) was an American academic who served as the U.S. National Security Advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961 through 1966. He was president of the Ford Founda ...

, the national security adviser of President

John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination i ...

Laurence Forristal Laurence Forristal (5 June 1931 – 10 October 2018) was an Irish Roman Catholic prelate, who served as the Bishop of Ossory from 1981 to 2007. Early life and education Born to William Forristal and Kathleen Forristal (née Phelan) in Thom ...

, (1931-2018) Irish Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Ossory from 1981 to 2007. *

Desmond Forristal Desmond Forristal (1930–2012), was an Irish priest, writer, and along with Fr. Joseph Dunn, the founder of Radharc, for which he worked as a writer and director. Desmond Timothy Forristal was born in Dublin in 1930, and lived in Glasnevin. He w ...

, Irish priest, writer and filmmaker. *

Scott Forstall Scott James Forstall (born 1969) is an American software engineer, known for leading the original software development team for the iPhone and iPad, and Broadway producer, known for co-producing the Tony award-winning ''Fun Home'' and ''Eclipsed ...

, 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 * Roger Forstall Sweetman, Irish born Newfoundland Politician

References

External links

Forrestal History: Resource Dedicated to the History of the Forstall or Forrestal Family

A Guide to the Forstall or Forrestal Lineage of Mullennahone

The Lineage of Mullennahone 1571-1855: The Historical Account of the Forstall or Forrestal lineage of Mullennahone Castle
{{surname Surnames of Irish origin Irish families