'forebear' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'foreberan,' where 'fore-' meant 'before' and 'beran' meant 'to bear or carry.'

'foreberan' transformed into the Middle English word 'forberen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'forebear.'

Initially, it meant 'one who bears or carries before,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'ancestor or forefather.'