The surname O'Farrell is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Fearghail. The name originates from a Gaelic sept that hailed from Counties Meath and Westmeath in Ireland.
The original Gaelic name "Ó Fearghail" translates to "descendant (or son) of Feargal". Feargal means "man of valor" or "stern man". The surname O'Farrell is one of the many Irish names that were anglicized during the Anglo-Norman occupation of Ireland.
It is important to note that in Irish, names beginning with "Ó" are taken from the father's name and indicate a descendant of someone specific, while those starting with "Mac" mean "son of". In this case, Ó Fearghail means "descendant of Feargal." When anglicized, the "Ó" was replaced with "O," resulting in the modern-day surname O'Farrell.
Learn more about the origin of the last name O-farrell
The meaning and origin of the last name O-farrell
The surname O'Farrell is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, which translates to "descendant of Fearghal" or "servant of Nicolas." Fearghal is derived from the Old Norse name Fergeirr, meaning "journey ruler," and Nicolas originated from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people." The O'Farrell clan was an influential Irish sept that originated in County Clare, Ireland. They were one of the most powerful families in Ireland during the Middle Ages and played a significant role in Irish history, including participating in numerous rebellions against English rule. The family name spread to other parts of Ireland and subsequently to countries around the world due to emigration, particularly to the United States, Canada, Australia, and England.
Geographical distribution of the last name O-farrell
The surname O'Farrell is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, which are located in the west of the country. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, meaning "descendant of Fearghal," a personal name derived from "fearghus" or "fergus," meaning "man of valor." The O'Farrells are one of the many Irish septs that trace their roots to the ancient High Kings of Ireland. Over time, due to emigration, particularly during the Great Famine in the 19th century, the surname has spread globally, with significant populations in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In these locations, O'Farrell is often anglicized as Farrell or O'Ferrell.
Variants and spellings of the last name O-farrell
The surname O'Farrell has multiple variations and spellings due to its Irish Gaelic origin. Some common variants include:
* O'Farrell, Farrell, and O'Ferrell are phonetic variations, with the apostrophe before the 'O' indicating its original Irish prefix meaning "descendant of."
* Another variant is Mac Phárlai, which translates to "son of Pharla" in Irish Gaelic. This variant may be less common but is still an accurate translation of the name.
* Opharrell and Ofarrell are possible misspellings that may occur due to transposition errors or differences in typing styles.
* O'Fearghail, O'Fearraigh, and Mac Pháidhín are Irish language versions of the name, using different dialects and phonetic spellings.
* Anglicized forms of the name may also include Farley, Ferrall, and Ferrell. These variations lost the Irish Gaelic prefix 'O' over time but still retain the original root "Farrell."
Famous people with the last name O-farrell
Notable individuals with the last name O'Farrell include:
1. Chris O'Farrell, an Australian musician and songwriter best known as the original drummer for the band Silverchair.
2. Colm O'Farrell, an Irish politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1987 to 1992.
3. Danielle O'Farrell, an Australian Labor Party politician and former member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. She was elected in 2015 but resigned in 2019 following corruption charges.
4. James Patrick O'Farrell, an Irish-American labor organizer who is often referred to as "Big Jim" O'Farrell. He played a significant role in the 1934 Toledo Auto-Lite strike and the 1935 Teamsters Union Strike.
5. Liam O'Farrell, an Irish politician and former member of Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate). He was also a leader in the Irish National Teachers' Organization.
6. Neil O'Farrell, a British actor known for his roles in television shows like "Casualty" and "The Bill."
7. Ronan O'Farrell, an Irish tenor who has performed worldwide and released several albums. He is the son of the famous Irish tenor Finbar Wright (who also uses the stage name Ronan Tynan).
Genealogical research on the last name O-farrell
The surname O'Farrell is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, which translates to "descendant of Fearghal." Fearghal was a personal name derived from fearg meaning 'manly' or 'ferocious.' The O'Farrells were historically a powerful and influential sept located in County Offaly, Ireland. They were part of the Dalcassian tribe and traced their ancestry to King Brian Boru, who ruled during the 11th century. Throughout history, they held important positions in Ireland and were known for their bravery in battle. In the 17th century, many O'Farrells emigrated from Ireland due to political upheaval and economic hardship, settling primarily in England, Scotland, Wales, and the United States. Today, the O'Farrell family name is widespread globally, with notable figures including John O'Farrell, a British author and comedian, and Kevin O'Farrell, an Irish Roman Catholic cardinal.
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