FAREY

Also recorded as Fa-Rey

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Farey

The surname Farey is of English origin and is a variant spelling of the surname Fairy or Faree, deriving from the Middle English word "fayerie," meaning "enchantment" or "magic." The name is believed to have been a nickname for an individual who possessed mystical or magical abilities or who was associated with fairy-like qualities.

The Farey surname is most commonly found in the northern counties of England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire, with records dating back to the medieval period. Individuals with the surname Farey have historically been involved in various occupations, including farming, textiles, and trade.

Notable individuals with the surname Farey include mathematician John Farey Sr. (1766–1826), known for his work on decimals and the Farey sequence, as well as his son John Farey Jr. (1791–1851), a civil engineer and geologist.

The Farey surname continues to be present in contemporary British society, with descendants of the original bearers of the name scattered across the United Kingdom and beyond. The name Farey serves as a reminder of the ancestral roots and historical connections of families that have carried this surname through generations.

There are approximately 550 people named Farey in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named Farey.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Alan
Chris
Christopher
Colin
David
James
John
Mark
Michael
Paul
Peter
Richard
Robert
Stephen

Female

Anee
Angela
Anne
Catherine
Emma
Jacqueline
Janet
Joanne
Mary
Patricia
Rachel
Veronica

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.