Surname Farell - Meaning and Origin
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Farell: What does the surname Farell mean?
The last name Farell is of Irish origin and is a variant form of the surname Farrell. The name Farrell is derived from the Gaelic term 'Fearghal' which loosely translates to 'valorous' or 'brave'. Therefore, the surname Farell carries the meaning of 'descendant of a valorous or brave man'. This surname has been widely used across Ireland due to its association with a powerful medieval family who were rulers of Annaly, a territory located in Longford County. The surname was first recorded in the 14th century. Despite its Gaelic roots, Farell is a last name found in several different countries today, owing to Irish migration patterns throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisFarell: Where does the name Farell come from?
The last name Farell is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Fearghail", which means "man of valor." The name was first found in County Longford, a region in Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Versions of this surname are numerous, owing to its phonetic spelling, and some variations include O'Farrell, Farel, Farrelly, and others.
Over time, due to historical movements and emigration caused by economic and political circumstances such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, the Farell surname spread to various parts of the world. Today, you can find individuals bearing the Farell surname not only in Ireland but also in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world. Nevertheless, it is in countries with a strong historical tie to Ireland, like the United States and Great Britain, where the name is most commonly found.
Variations of the surname Farell
The surname Farell is of Irish origin, mainly derived from the Gaelic name "O Fearghail," which means "man of valor." It has numerous variants and alternative spellings due to transliteration from Gaelic to English.
Some of the common variants and spellings include Farrell, O'Farrell, Farel, Farrel, Feral, Ferrall, Ferral, and Fairel. Other less common spellings include Fairell, Farellah, Fariel, Feriel, Farro, Farrow, and Pharel.
Because the names were often recorded as they sounded to English clerks, there may be many variations for a single person’s name. The spelling of names may have also changed over time.
It's also worth noting the anglicized version, usually with the O' prefix dropped. In some cases, double "r" and single "l" styles emerge ("Farral"), as well as the swapping of "e" and "a" ("Ferall").
Different branches of the family could have different spellings of the surname. Though the majority of these names are very rare, Farrell remains the most widespread variant in use today. Variations in the name can also be found in other countries because of immigration and the influence of other languages.
Famous people with the name Farell
- Colin Farrell: An Irish actor who gained fame through movies like "In Bruges," "Miami Vice", and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".
- Warren Farrell: An American author who writes about gender issues, promoting the concept of gender equality in his works. He's known for books such as "The Myth of Male Power".
- Mike Farrell: An American actor best recognized for his role as Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series "MASH".
- Suzanne Farrell: An eminent American ballerina who danced with the New York City Ballet for over 20 years. She is considered one of George Balanchine's greatest muses.
- Brian Farrell: A notable Irish journalist and broadcaster who spent over 40 years working in RTÉ.
- Terry Farrell: An American actress and fashion model best known for her role as Jadzia Dax in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine".
- Eileen Farrell: An American soprano who had a career across several genres including opera, jazz, and popular music. She's known as one of the finest American opera singers of the 20th century.
- Tommy Farrell: An American character actor known mostly for his work in B-Westerns.
- James T. Farrell: An American novelist and short story writer known for his Studs Lonigan trilogy.