Surname Farrel - Meaning and Origin
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Farrel: What does the surname Farrel mean?
The surname Farrel is of Irish origin and has several variations including Farrell, O’Farrell, O’Ferrall, and more. It is derived from the Gaelic name "O Fearghail," meaning "descendant of Fearghal." The Irish name "Fearghal" is made up of two elements: "fear," which means "man," and "gal," which means "valor." Therefore, the name Farrel essentially carries the connotations of a "man of valor," or "heroic man." These names trace back to pre-10th century and are especially prevalent in the province of Leinster, in the Irish midlands. It was also the name of one of the powerful Irish clans, known as clans O'Farrell, which played a significant role in Irish history. It's essential to remember that surname meanings can vary depending on the cultural and historical contexts, and this definition stems from one popular interpretation of the Farrel surname.
Order DNA origin analysisFarrel: Where does the name Farrel come from?
The surname Farrel originates from Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, which means "descendant of Fearghal" or "descendant of a valorous man". The name Fearghal itself consists of two elements ‘fear’ meaning man and ‘gal’ meaning valor. The name is notably associated with two separate clans, one in County Longford (Muintir Fhearghaill) and one in County Cavan.
Today, this surname is common in areas with large Irish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain; however, it is most prevalent in Ireland. According to Forebears, the surname Farrel is ranked most common in Dublin, Ireland. Nonetheless, you'll find it in various spellings around the world, including Farrell, Farel, Farrel, Pharel, and even variations like O'Farrell.
Variations of the surname Farrel
The surname Farrel has various spellings and variants. These include Farrell, O'Farrell, Farel, Farrelly, Ferrel, Ferrell, Farroll, Faroyle, Pharrell, and Farrow. Some people also spelled it as Farryl, Farol, Pharol, Farll, and Farel.
Additionally, the surnames deriving from the same Irish origin also include O'Fearghail, Fearghal, and sometimes O'Ferrall, with the "O" prefix representing a descendant.
Translating to "Man of Valor", this ancient surname has its roots in the Gaelic culture, specifically from the personal name "Fearghal". The Gaelic elements "fear" means "man" and "gal" means "valor". Some other anglicized forms include Fergal and O'Fergal.
All these variants have transpired due to phonetic translations over time and geographical relocations. This is common amongst many Irish surnames due to the historical confinement of the Irish language and bilingual translations to English by record keepers. So, people from the same lineage might have different surnames or variants due to emigration, regional dialects, and individual choice of spelling.
Famous people with the name Farrel
- Colin Farrell: An Irish actor known for roles in films such as "In Bruges," "Miami Vice," and "The Lobster."
- Will Ferrell: An American actor, comedian, and producer who first gained fame on Saturday Night Live and later starred in comedy films like "Anchorman," "Elf," and "Step Brothers."
- Perry Farrell: An American singer-songwriter, known as the frontman for rock band Jane's Addiction and as the founder of the Lollapalooza festival.
- Suzanne Farrell: Renowned American ballerina who performed with the New York City Ballet and later founded her own ballet company.
- Terry Farrell: An American actress known for her roles in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Becker."
- Nicole Farrell: An actress known for her work in TV series like "The Book Club" and "Alien Surf Girls."
- Mike Farrell: An American actor best known for his role as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series "M*A*S*H."
- Tommy Farrell: An American actor of the golden age of Hollywood, appeared in many classic films and TV series.
- Gail Farrell: A retired American singer, best known for her performances on "The Lawrence Welk Show." (Note: The spelling of the surname varies among these individuals. Some use a single 'r' while others use double 'r'.)