About the surname

FOSTER is an Anglo-Saxon surname of ancient origin and noble lineage. It is derived from the occupational source - in this case from "the forester." In the English Middle Ages, the forests and woods were almost always owned or controlled by the lord of the manor -- but people had no reservations about sneaking in and taking firewood, game, or whatever else they might require. To keep the poaching to a minimum, the lord retained a man to watch the forest -- often called a Forester, and sometimes called a Foster. The name stuck as an English Occupation surname when they became adopted. The name was also taken from the place of residence of the family in a forest, or wild wooded country. Foster, the spelling of this branch of the family, is a contraction of the original spelling of Forester.

The first mention of the name in ancient records is found about the year 1050, when Sir Richard Forester, called then by his Latinized name Forestarius, went over to England. He accompanied his brother-in-law, William the Conqueror, and his father, Baldwin IV, the forester, who was called "le Debonaire." The wife of "le Debonaire" was Adela, daughter of Robert, King of France. Father and son participated in the victorious battle of Hastings.

Among the early Foresters mentioned in the records is Anacher, Great Forester of Flanders, who died in 837. His son, Baldwin I, of Flanders, called "Iron Arm" on account of his great strength or because of his being constantly in armor, had a son, Baldwin II of Flanders, the forester, who married Princess Judith, daughter of Charles the Bald, King of Aquitania and Neustria, or in other words the greater part of modern France. He built castles in Bruges and Ghent to defend the country against the Normans. He died at Arras in 837 and was succeeded by his son, Baldwin II, of Flanders, who married the Princess Alfrith, daughter of Alfred the Great, King of England. He made war against Eudes, Count of Paris, who usurped the French Crown, and defeated him. He died in 919, and was succeeded by his son, Baldwin III, of Flanders, called of the handsome beard. He married the daughter of the Count of Luxembourgh. He defended his country against the united forces of the Emperor Henry, King Robert of France and the Duke of Normandy. Following this family down through the years, we find scarcely a generation without its famous and brave members, who have achieved honor in many walks of life.

Bamborough Castle, on the eastern coast of Northumberland, is about fifteen miles north of Alnwich and has been famous for many centuries as being the home of the Fosters. It is a place of great historic interest.