'Forfar' originates from Old English (uncertain), specifically possibly from the elements 'for' + 'fær', where 'for' meant 'before, in front of' and 'fær' meant 'a passage or crossing'.

'Forfar' appears in medieval Scots and English forms largely unchanged as a place-name and eventually became the modern English name 'Forfar'.

Initially it likely referred to a geographic feature related to a crossing or passage; over time the term came to be used solely as the name of the settlement now known as Forfar.