Surname Fariss - Meaning and Origin

Fariss: What does the surname Fariss mean?

The surname Fariss is of Norman origin and derived from the Old French word ferres, which means iron. It likely originated as an occupational surname for an individual who worked with iron, such as an armorer or blacksmith. Over time, the name has spread to many parts of the world, especially the United States where it has been found since the mid-1800s.

The Fariss surname is also sometimes spelled Farriss, Farris, Ferris, Ferrisse, Ferriss, or Ferrisse. In France variations include Ferres, Ferresse, Ferrés, and Ferrésse. In England, variants include Farriss, Faryss, and Ferrise.

People with this surname are often affiliated with the Fariss family, which has taken on multiple variations in spelling and is believed to have originated in France. There are also Fariss families located throughout the United States, including in Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Although no genetic research has been conducted specifically on the Fariss surname, it is likely associated with other surnames with similar spellings that could potentially be related. These include Farrah, Farreh, Ferris, and Ferriss.

In conclusion, the surname Fariss is of Norman origin and likely derived from the Old French word ferres. It is associated with individuals who worked with iron for a living. The Fariss family has taken on multiple spellings and is believed to have originated in France. It is now found throughout the United States and is likely related to other surnames with similar spellings.

Fariss: Where does the name Fariss come from?

The surname Fariss is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the most recent census, the Fariss surname is ranked at 2,523 out of the 88,799 surnames found in the United States. It is most heavily concentrated in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Georgia. Although Fariss is a relatively uncommon name today, the name has been documented as far back as the early 18th century in America, with the earliest documented Fariss settlers being in Pennsylvania in 1786.

The origin of the Fariss surname is most likely derived from the Old French words "fer" and "isse," which mean iron and small or little, respectively, and which suggest that "Fariss" originated as a nickname for a blacksmith or some other metal worker. So although it is likely that the earliest Fariss settlers in America were of French origin, the name itself is of Germanic origin.

The Fariss surname is also found in Scotland, where records of the name can be traced back to the 12th century in Edinburgh. It is believed to be a variation of the surname Paris, but just how the two names are related is uncertain.

Due to its relative rarity and its roots in both French and Germanic cultures, the Fariss name continues to be associated with people from a wide variety of countries and cultures, making it a name that stands out among the many more common surnames in America today.

Variations of the surname Fariss

The surname Fariss can refer to a variety of spellings and variants, including Pharis, Pharris, Pharisee, Pharriss, Fariss, Farice, Farris, Farriss, Ferris, Ferriss, and Ferrice. The surname is of English, Scottish, or Irish origin and derives from the Greek word “farrus” or “farus,” meaning “horse” or “steed.”

In addition, Fariss may have originated as a place name referring to a settlement or manor, with the prefix “Farr” likely referring to the Old English word “fearr,” denoting an “open region of land beyond the settlement. Alternatively, the root “Farr” is likely derived from the Latin word “farrago,” which refers to an act of binding or entangling.

The various spellings of Fariss generally correspond to the region of origin, often characterized as Celtic, American, French, and German. In the United States, Fariss is most prevalent in Tennessee, while in England, it is most frequently found in Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Many variants of Fariss have become widely dispersed throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in Australia. There, the Ferris variation has become the most popular spelling, though the Fariss spelling is also popular. Additionally, Fariss is also found as a Jewish surname, typically spelled Pharis or Pharriss, derived from the Hebrew word “Parush,” meaning “refined.”

Finally, there are variant spellings originating from non-English nations, such as the French “Ferrice” and the German “Ferriss.” These spellings have become quite uncommon due to the traditional nature of given name spelling in those countries.

Famous people with the name Fariss

• Chris Fariss: Chris is an American actor whose career spans over nearly two decades and a variety of popular movies and TV shows such as “Dazed and Confused” and “The Office.”
• Russ Fariss: Russ is most well known as a country singer whose songs focus on patriotism and faith. He has released multiple albums since the early 2000s.
• Kyle Fariss: Kyle is a retired professional football player and coach whose most notable achievement was winning the 1998 Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.
• Jeff Farris: Jeff is a former journalist and author who wrote more than a dozen books about politics, religion, and culture.
• Katie Farris: Katie is an American poet and educator. She has been awarded numerous prestigious prizes for her work and was a nominee for the Pulitzer Prize in 2019.
• David Farris: David is a professional actor and comedian, best known for his work on popular UK TV shows such as “The IT Crowd.”
• Scot Farris: Scot is an American lawyer, entrepreneur, author, and political commentator. He is a frequent guest on news media outlets and has given lectures at law schools across the United States.
• Charlie Farris: Charlie is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, who has released several albums and scored motion picture soundtracks.

Other surnames

FarisFarish