FARRELL
The surname Farrell is a patronymic name of Gaelic Irish origin, derived from the old Irish personal byname Fearghal, which combines the elements fear (man) and gal (valour). Its literal translation is “man of valour” or “man of courage.” The prefix Ó – meaning “male descendant of” – indicates that bearers of the name are descended from an ancestor named Fearghal.
Historically the Farrell sept was associated with the province of Ulster, and the name remains common throughout Ireland. Variants of the surname include O'Farrell, O'Ferrall, O'Farrelly and O'Ferrally, all of which are Anglicised forms of the original Ó Fearghail.
The great sept originated in the region of Longford, traditionally known as Annaly, in what once was the province of Leinster. The sept’s chiefs were known as the Lords of Annaly, and they resided at the fortress thereafter called Longphuirt Ui Fearghaill (translated as O'Farrell’s fortress) – from which the county obtained its modern name. The significance of the O'Farrells is reflected, for example, in the extensive passages dedicated to them in the Annals of the Four Masters.
Within the sept, two principal branches are distinguished by the Gaelic descriptors buidhe (“yellow” or “golden”) and ban (“fair” or “white”), giving rise to the designations O'Farrell Boy and O'Farrell Bane respectively. These branches upheld the sept’s reputation for courage and leadership.
Members of the Farrell family distinguished themselves beyond Ireland. Several served with distinction in the Irish brigade that served France during the 17th century. In the 19th century, Sir Thomas Farrell (1827‑1900) achieved renown as a sculptor, with many of his statues now admired across Dublin.
The heraldry associated with the O'Farrell family bears a gold lion rampant on a green shield, suggesting strength and valor. The crest depicts a black greyhound springing from a ducal coronet, symbolising swiftness and noble lineage.
The first recorded spelling of the family name appears in the annals of the time as belonging to Father Richard O'Farrell, dated circa 1615‑1663 in Annaly, County Longford. This period coincided with the reign of King James I of England (and VI of Scotland) (1603‑1625), a time when many Irish families sought to preserve their heritage despite political upheaval.
Collectively, the evidence points to a surname that is firmly rooted in the Gaelic tradition, steeped in the martial reputation of its ancestors, and celebrated for its enduring cultural contributions across Ireland and beyond.
Typical given names associated with the Farrell surname
Male
- Anthony
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Julie
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Fairall
- Fairell
- Fairles
- Fairwell
- Farall
- Fareell
- Farel
- Farell
- Farella
- Farewell
- Fariello
- Faril
- Farill
- Farla
- Farle
- Farlee
- Farles
- Farol
- Farral
- Farrale
- Farrall
- Farrally
- Farraly
- Farrel
- Farrele
- Farrelle
- Farrelley
- Farrells
- Farrelly
- Farrels
- Farrely
- Farriel
- Farril
- Farrill
- Farrll
- Farrol
- Farrols
- Farwell
- Fawall
- Fawell
- Fawells
- Fearall
- Fearle
- Feral
- Ferell
- Ferella
- Ferelle
- Ferral
- Ferrall
- Ferrel
- Ferreli
- Ferrell
- Ferrelli
- Ferrelly
- Ferril
- Ferrill
- Ferrol
- Firle
- Firrel
- Firrell
- Foral
- Forel
- Forrell
- Fourel
- Fourle
- Freel
- Friel
- Furell
- Furrell
- Vareille
- Varrall
- Varrell
- Verall
- Verell
- Verill
- Verrall
- Verrel
- Verrell
- Verrells
- Verrill
- Virrell
- Virrill
- Vurell
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Farrell in...
Braille
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Morse
..-..-.-..-...-...-..
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Farrell are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Penguin.
There are approximately 23,274 people named Farrell in the UK. That makes it the 360th most common surname in Britain. Around 357 in a million people in Britain are named Farrell.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Farrell
- Owen Farrell - Rugby union player from England
- Colin Farrell - Irish actor
- Andy Farrell - Rugby league football player, and rugby union football player and coach
- Bailey Peacock-Farrell - Northern Irish football player
- J. G. Farrell - Irish writer (1935 to 1979)
- Mairéad Farrell - IRA activist (1957 to 1988)
- Bobby Farrell - Aruban singer (1949 to 2010)
- Terry Farrell - Architect
- Frank Farrell - Musician (1947 to 1997)
- Vladimir Farrell - Montserrat football player
- Victor Farrell - Guitarist
- Liam Farrell - Rugby league player
- Nigel Farrell - Television director (1953 to 2011)
- Craig Farrell - Football player
- Andy Farrell - Football player
- David Farrell - Scottish football player
- Stephen Farrell - Scottish football player
- Peter Farrell - Football player
- Brian Farrell - Irish author, journalist, academic and broadcaster (1929 to 2014)
- Kyron Farrell - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.