This species was first described by the English zoologist Thomas Bell, writing in the publication, A history of British Crustacea IV.

Later in 1846, the French zoologist Hippolyte Lucas described Pagurus sculptimanus from Oran, and this was later determined to be a synonym of P. forbesii.

The right chela (claw) is hairy and somewhat granulated; the propodus (penultimate segment) has a depression on either side of a long ridge that extends onto the dactylus.

The visible portions of this hermit crab are reddish yellow, with darker spotting being present on the abdomen.

[3] Pagurus forbesii occurs in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, its depth range being 25 to 35 m (82 to 115 ft).