Forst is a German surname with topographic origins, derived from the Old High German word forst, meaning “forest.” This term has a distinct etymological path from the Old French forest, which traces back to Latin. Instead, Old High German forst developed from foraha, meaning “fir tree,” highlighting a connection to coniferous woodlands. As a surname, Forst likely originated as a habitational name for someone who lived near or worked in a forest, or as a topographic name for someone dwelling in a forested area. The name is predominantly found in Germany and among German diaspora communities. According to the 2010 United States Census, Forst is the 13,356th most common surname in the U.S., with 2,283 bearers, 94.83% of whom identified as White. There is also a town named Forst in the Spree-Neiße district of Brandenburg, Germany, though the surname is not necessarily derived from that location. Variants of the surname include Foerstner and Förstner, with the umlaut indicating a common German phonetic change. Meaning: Forest Origin: German (topographic/habitational) Type: Surname Regions: Germany, United States