Farrel

Farrel is a British surname of Gaelic origin. The surname is derived from the Old Gaelic name "Ó Fearghail", meaning "man of valor". The name has variations such as Farrell and O'Farrell.

History and Origins

The Farrel surname is believed to have originated in Ireland before spreading to Britain. The Farrels were part of the Gaelic nobility and were historically associated with counties such as Longford and Offaly in Ireland. The clan is said to have descended from a powerful chief named Fearghail who lived in the 10th century.

Distribution and Variants

The Farrel surname is most prevalent in Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. Variants of the surname, such as Farrell and O'Farrell, can also be found in countries with Irish and British diaspora.

Notable Individuals

  • Colin Farrel: A popular Irish actor known for his roles in films such as "In Bruges" and "The Lobster".
  • Sir Thomas Farrell: A British mathematician and physicist known for his contributions to the field of calculus.

References

  • MacLysaght, Edward. "The Surnames of Ireland". Irish Academic Press, 1985.
  • Hanks, Patrick, Flavia Hodges, and A. D. Mills. "Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland". Oxford University Press, 2016.

There are approximately 201 people named Farrel in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Farrel.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Barry
  • Christopher
  • Daniel
  • David
  • Gerard
  • James
  • John
  • Joseph
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Sean
  • Thomas

Female

  • Ann
  • Danielle
  • Debbie
  • Elizabeth
  • Irene
  • Janet
  • Jennifer
  • Kirsty
  • Linda
  • Maria
  • Maureen
  • Sarah
  • Sharon
  • Susan
  • Winifred

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