Forsyths in Lanarkshire/Edinburgh

Before 1488 David Forsyth, Burgess of Stirling, bought the lands of Dykes, otherwise known as Hallhill, near Strathaven in Lanarkshire. The ancient castle, which had stood from before that time, fell into ruin and was demolished in 1828. In 1540 the family left Dykes and moved to Inchnoch Castle in Monkland, Lanarkshire. It was this family that was subsequently to set up branches in Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire, Glasgow, North America and Australia.

William Forsyth, a Bailie of Edinburgh in 1365, must have been a Burgess of the city from about 1345 to achieve this office. He may also have been a descendent through one generation to the William who signed the "Ragman Roll". William of Edinburgh had two sons, William who became a Burgess of the city in 1374 and a Bailie in 1394 and Malcolm who was a Burgess before 1381. This William has two sons. William, who was a Burgess of Edinburgh in 1423, moved to St. Andrews, in Fife, and purchased the Barony of Nydie in 1435. John, a Burgess in 1397 became a bailie of Edinburgh in 1425. Thomas Forsyth was a Burgess of Edinburgh in 1439 and may have descended from John. From Edinburgh spread many branches of the family to the Lothians, Borders and Dumfries as well as to Fife, Aberdeenshire and to Ulster and the Americas.