Surname Farry - Meaning and Origin
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Farry: What does the surname Farry mean?
The last name Farry is of English and Irish origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O Fearghaile," though it's also thought to be derived from the Middle English name "Farre." The name translates as either "man of courage" or "man from the wood or brush." The name Farry first originated in Scotland in the 15th century, and the first recorded occurrence of the surname is thought to have been in 1556 in Renfrewshire when Bartilmewe Farry rendered homage to King Edward VI.
The Farry surname is especially prominent in Northern Ireland, where it is the 59th most common name. It's also widely seen in Lancashire in England and is scattered like a handful of rocks throughout the other countries of the British Isles.
Many Farry families immigrated from Ireland to the United States during the 19th century, settling primarily on the East Coast states.
The Farrys have been a highly accomplished family, with many distinguishing themselves in military service, politics, religion, and the arts. They have left a very influential mark on both the old-world and the new.
Order DNA origin analysisFarry: Where does the name Farry come from?
The last name Farry is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, but can also be found in Ireland, Australia, Canada, and the United States. In Britain, the name is most commonly present in England, especially in North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire, and in Scotland. In Ireland, Farry is most often found in counties with a history of settlers from Ulster, such as Donegal and Monaghan, but it is also present in all provinces of the country.
The name Farry is of Irish origin—more specifically, Northern Irish—and is of Gaelic origin. It is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Fearghail, which means "man of valour" or "brave." The name dates back to the 13th century, when the O'Fearghail family was one of the ruling families of Ulster.
Today, the name Farry can be found around the world—from North America to Europe and even in Australia. Variations of the name are often found in places with family connections to Ulster, such as Northern Ireland and Scotland. Despite the interesting journey that its bearers have taken, the name still remains rooted in its Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname Farry
The surname Farry can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Farrie, Farrey, Farray, and Ferrie. Additionally, it can also be found spelled Fari, Ferry, Ferree, and Feary. While the exact source of the surname is not certain, this multi-variant surname is likely of English, Scottish, and Irish origin.
In English, the surname is thought to be derived from the Old French ferre, meaning “iron-worker” and deriving from the Latin ferrum. This may reflect an occupational name adopted by a family that originally worked in the iron-working industry. It is also likely derived from the Norman name Farie, which comes from a diminutive version of the name Ferrer, meaning “smith” or “hammer.” Alternatively, the name may be derived from the Old English word faerr meaning “oak.”
In Scotland, the surname is likely derived from the Scottish Gaelic forms variations of O’Fearraigh, which translates to “man of Faire” or “descendant of Faire” and likely derived from the Gaelic word fhigheall meaning “watch” or “observe.” Finally, in Ireland, the name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word fear, meaning “man.” Thus, variations of the name include variants of O’Ferrie, meaning “descendant of the man.”
Given the many variants and origins of the surname Farry, it is likely there is no single source of origin. Regardless, the earliest use of the surname recorded to date is found in 1322, in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, England. Here, Robert Fari is recorded indicating that the name may have been well-established in England by that date.
Famous people with the name Farry
- Rob Farry: English actor who had a role in the 1993 movie Piccolo grande amore
- Sarah Farry: lead singer of the Australian band Taxiride
- Peter Farry: professional snowboarder who competed in the 2007 Winter X Games
- Tim Farry: American actor known for his roles in the television show Gothic Vampires and films like The Jackass Theory
- Taylor Farry: professional photographer and founder of the Instagram page @taylorfarryphoto
- Tom Farry: Guinness World Record holder and stunt performer
- James Farry: Irish football player who plays for League of Ireland side Bohemian FC
- Laura Farry: British child actress who appeared in the soap opera EastEnders
- Dr. Michael Farry: Irish gynecologist and medical director of Dublin's Rotunda Hospital
- Sean Farry: Irish politician and current Minister of State for Higher Education