The Forsyth County area was originally settled by German-speaking Moravians from Pennsylvania, who purchased nearly 100,000 acres from Lord Granville in 1753. This tract, which they called Wachovia, included much of present-day Forsyth County. At the time, this area was a part of Rowan County.

In 1770, the northern part of Rowan County became Surry County.

In 1789 Surry was further subdivided to form Stokes.

In 1849, the new county of Forsyth was formed from the southern part of Stokes. It was named in honor of Colonel Benjamin Forsyth, a native of Stokes County who fell on the northern frontier in the second war with England.