Farnish

Origin and Meaning: Farnish is a surname of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name "Fern", which itself is a shortened form of "Ferdinand", a Germanic name meaning "bold protector". Over time, this personal name evolved into the surname Farnish.

Distribution: The surname Farnish is relatively rare and is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It has also spread to other English-speaking countries due to migration from the UK.

Notable People:

  • John Farnish (b. 1955): An English artist known for his abstract paintings and sculptures which have been exhibited internationally.
  • Sarah Farnish (b. 1972): A British journalist and writer, known for her contributions to various prestigious newspapers and magazines.

Genealogy: The Farnish surname has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages in England. Records show various spellings of the surname, including Farnish, Fernish, and Farnes. Genealogical research into the Farnish family has uncovered connections to landowners, merchants, and various tradespeople throughout history.

Variants: Variants of the surname Farnish include Fernish, Farnes, and Farnisham.

Coat of Arms: The Farnish family does not have an officially recognised coat of arms, as the use of heraldry and coats of arms is granted on an individual, not a surname basis, in British tradition.

References:

  • Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 2005.
  • Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1988.

There are approximately 92 people named Farnish in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Farnish.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony

Female

Similar and related surnames

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

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