Surname Furlong - Meaning and Origin

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Going through a DNA test with iGENEA proved to be a profound journey for this participant. The test not only revealed the distinct European history tied to the surname Furlong but challenged and transformed their perception of family ties and personal identity.

G. Furlong

Furlong: What does the surname Furlong mean?

The surname Furlong is of Old English and Gaelic origin and translates to mean “long furrow”. It is a habitational name derived from places in various parts of England known as Furlong or Furrow meaning a “furrow” or “land measurement”. This term originally referred to a length of a ploughed field or a measure of 40 rods (220 yards, or approximately 200 m). In some cases, the name Furlong may have also been used to denote ownership of such land.

The first recorded use of the surname dates back to 1203 in the early records of the county of Suffolk in England, where a Radulio de Furerlong was noted as a witness at an inquisition. There are also documents detailing Roger de Fulewrang and Ive de Folewrang in Shropshire in the Assize Rolls of 1292.

The Furlong family spread throughout England; to the county of Somerset in the southwest, Yorkshire in the north, and the county of Sussex in the southeast. From England, the surname spread to Ireland and Scotland. In 1840, records of the Furlong spelling in the United States were noted in New York City.

Today, the surname Furlong can be found all over the world, a testament to the hardworking, adventurous and ambitious nature of the original family line. Although the original meaning of the surname refers to the length of a ploughed field, the accomplishments of those who have adopted the name are sure to exceed the length of the original Furlong.

Furlong: Where does the name Furlong come from?

The surname Furlong is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the United Kingdom, the Furlong surname is most commonly associated with counties such as Lancashire in the northwest, Warwickshire and Leicestershire in the Midlands, and West Midlands especially around Birmingham. In Ireland, the surname is mainly found in counties such as Leitrim, Cork, and Dublin.

According to the 2010 United States Census, the origin of the Furlong surname is Irish, however, there are few people in the US with the name Furlong. The surname is also not very common in other countries, except for in Canada where there were more than fifty households with the surname in the 2006 Canadian census.

The etymology of the Furlong surname is believed to be derived from a Latin name, or even a priest. As with most surnames, its exact origin is difficult to trace.

In Britain and Ireland, the surname Furlong remains fairly exclusive and is most commonly found in smaller cities and rural areas. The use of the surname Furlong is generally connected to ancient lineage and traditions such as the Norman invasion. Furthermore, it is believed that the Furlong surname was once used as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a furlong length, a mile measured in increments of 220 yards.

Variations of the surname Furlong

The surname Furlong is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was used as an occupational surname for someone who owned a furlong, which is an area of land of approximately one-eighth of a mile. It is derived from the Old English "fuhre", meaning "furrow" or "plot" and "lang", meaning "long".

Most variants and spellings of Furlong are pronounced with a long "o" sound and the letter "u". Common variations include FUR-long, FER-long, FIR-long and FER-lung. Spellings such as Forlong, Farlong and Farlung may also be encountered.

The surname Furlong also exists as a Scottishification (Anglicization) and as variant surnames throughout the world. Variants such as Farland, Fanlon, Furland and Fruhling can be found in English-speaking countries as well as in German-speaking countries.

In the United States, some variants of Furlong include Furland, Farland, Earlund, Ferell and Surlong. In Irish names, some variants may include HFurling, Ferlane, Farrellan and Forling.

No matter the spelling or the variant, the surname Furlong has its origins in a shared Old English term and is often used to indicate occupation or ancestry.

Famous people with the name Furlong

• Michael Furlong: Irish actor
• Edward Furlong: American actor
• Jim Furlong: Canadian hockey player
• Daryl Furlong: Canadian soccer player
• George Furlong: British aristocrat
• Adrian Furlong: Irish cricketer
• Greg Furlong: Australian swimmer
• Robert Furlong: British footballer
• Paul Furlong: British footballer
• Daniel Furlong: American MMA fighter

Other surnames

Furlow