Surname Farage - Meaning and Origin
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Farage: What does the surname Farage mean?
The last name Farage is derived from the French word “faire,” which translates to “to do or to make.” This surname was most likely used to describe a person who worked as a craftsman or maker. The name was most likely brought to England during the Norman conquest in 1066, and the Farages who remained in England after that time are believed to have been of French descent.
The Farage surname can be found in many locations around the British Isles, particularly England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is quite a common surname in the United Kingdom, so your exact family origin may be difficult to trace.
The current Leader of the Brexit Party in the UK is called Nigel Farage. This political figure has become quite controversial over the past few years as he has become as one of the most outspoken advocates for Britain’s exit from the European Union. However, it's important to note that Nigel Farage's political views are in no way indicative of the entire Farage family- he is just a famous instance of the Farage surname!
While it's impossible to definitively know what the last name Farage means today, an understanding of its French origins can provide a small window into the history of the Farage family.
Order DNA origin analysisFarage: Where does the name Farage come from?
The last name Farage is most common today in the United Kingdom. It is a name of French origin, which originated in Normandy but is now relatively spread out throughout the UK. Many individuals with the name Farage can be traced back to Normandy, with the earliest records of the name Farage being recorded in the region during the 16th century.
The majority of those bearing the name Farage still reside in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales. It can be found spreading across several counties, but is especially prominent in Lancashire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire.
Given its French-Norman roots, it is not surprising that Farage is also distributed in continental Europe. It is found in countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Although the name may have a wider presence in these countries, it is not as significant as in the UK, where it is most widely recognised.
Today, Farage is less commonly seen in the Americas, most likely due to the long history of the name in the UK. Nonetheless, the name can still be found in Canada, the United States and even parts of South America.
This beloved surname, once held by many a French Norman, has managed to stand the test of time and remain popular even across the continent for centuries. Today, Farage is still a proud family name, held by some of the most influential people in the UK and beyond.
Variations of the surname Farage
The surname Farage is a variant of several older surnames rooted in the French language, including Fargeau, Fargeault, Fargeaux, Fargeot, and Farge. Alternative spellings for Farage could include Farge, Fargot, Fargeot, Fargoe, and Fargow. Whilst these spellings have similar origins, that is not to say they are all necessarily of the same family – In fact it is quite possible that any one of the spellings could belong to different and unrelated families of the same name.
When it comes to surnames of French origin, it is often the case that names can be mutated or altered over the centuries by spelling mistakes, dialectal corruption, ignorance of language rules, or simply by the preference of individuals. This is especially true of the Farge name because the original spelling, 'Fargeau', is so close to many other, similar sounding French names.
For example, other surnames borne by individuals of French origin might start with the same consonants as Farge, but be followed by different vowels, such as Farquaharson, Fargher, Fargeson, Fargason, Forgo, Farquharson, Fergon, Farguson, Fargason. And these are but a few examples!
It is therefore clear than when tracing the origin of the surname Farage, one must be mindful of the numerous alternate spellings and names which could exist, each representing its own unique, albeit related, lineage.
Famous people with the name Farage
- Nigel Farage: current MEP, leader of the Brexit Party, and former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP);
- Samuel Farage: English academic and Professor of Molecular Microbiology at University College London;
- William Farage: British politician and Member of Parliament (MP) in the 1800s;
- Johnny Nelson: former professional boxer turned commentator;
- Terra Farage: Bunny flag and former professional chef;
- Robert Farage: Television director and founder of Frank TV;
- John Farage: British actor best known for his roles in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Never Let Go;
- Scott Farage: Actor and writer best known for his roles in Pride and Prejudice and New Tricks;
- Peter Farage: Politician and former leader of the LDP Party in Japan;
- Mark Farage: Writer and Deputy editor of the Evening Standard;
- Louisa Farage: Actress and singer best known for her roles in Pride and Prejudice and Tess of the D’Urbervilles.