The proud motto for Clan Forsyth - Instaurator Ruinae, Latin for The Rebuilder of Ruins - has it roots in the scripture and is rich in historical symbolism. It comes from the Saint James Bible: Isaiah 58:12

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations: and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

It is a legacy of Courage and Renewal. Tradition holds that this motto was bestowed on the Forsyths for some act of valor at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The story appears in the The Stirling Antiquary Vol 2, page 69. Further evidence supporting Forsyth involvement in the battle lies in a land grant from Robert the Bruce to Osbert, son of Robert, in the sheriffdom of Stirling. This can be found in the records of Robert The Bruce - The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Vol 1 page 451.

In 1672 The Lord Lyon King of Arms officially recognized the Coat of Arms and Motto for James Forsyth of Tailzertound, minister of Stirling and descendant of the Forsyth of Dykes.

“Mr. James Forsyth of Tailzertoune minister of Stirling a descendant of the Family of Dykes commonly designed Hallhill. Bears argent a chevron engrailed gules between three griffins segreant vert armed and membered of the second. Above the shield is placed on an open helmet befitting his degree mantled gules doubled argent. Next is placed on a wreath for his crest a demi griffon vert. The motto in a scroll: Instaurator Ruinae”

This document can be viewed on: ScotlandsPeople:

The Coat of Arms for Alistair Charles William Forsyth of that Ilk with “Argent a chevron engrailed Gules between three griffins segreant Azure armed and membered Sable, crowned Or.” and the motto Instaurator Ruinae was recognized by the Lyon Court on 30th November 1978

Clan Forsyth Society U.S.A.

The Clan Forsyth Society U.S.A. is a non-profit organization designed to honor Celtic heritage and promote family unity within the clan.

As the Family of Forsyth has with its variants of spellings, lost genealogy, and contact with family and heritage, it is the hope of the Clan Forsyth Society of the United States of America to find, rekindle, and merge together the many families of Forsyth that have gathered on these shores of North America from the earliest of times, lived and died, and while doing so, have raised new generations to the glory of Forsyth.