'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 'to carry or bear before,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'ancestor or forefather.'