Surname Fearghur - Meaning and Origin

Fearghur: What does the surname Fearghur mean?

The last name Fearghur is believed to be of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name O’Fearghail, which is composed of the words ‘fear’, meaning ‘man’ and ‘gal’, meaning ‘valor’. Put together, the name points to someone who is brave and courageous.

The Fearghur family is reportedly of a noble lineage and likely descended from High Kings of Ireland. The great leader O’Fearghail is said to have lived during the 13th century and fought for the independence of his people. O’Fearghail is also believed to have established the clan’s motto: ‘Ar dheis de go raibh a anam’, which roughly translates to ‘May his memory be blessed’.

The Fearghur family is believed to have a reputation as a fiercely independent and proud clan. They have been linked to various areas of Ireland, including Kerry, Galway and shops in towns beginning with the letter "F". The main branch of the Fearghur family is said to have maintained its relationship with its ancestral homeland and still exists today.

In Ireland today, the Fearghur name is not common and it is believed that very few people still carry the name. Those who do, however, are often proud of their heritage and carry the strength and courage of their ancestors with them.

Fearghur: Where does the name Fearghur come from?

The surname FEARGHUR is of Irish origin and is associated with the family of that name which is thought to have had its roots in the south middle section of pre-19th century County Cork. This area is known as the Barony of Muskerry and FEARGHUR was one of a handful of Gaelic Irish patronymics there. The family was a sept of the O'Sullivan clan.

The name is still common in Ireland today, particularly in the county of Cork where members of the FEARGHUR family still live. However, it is also to be found in other parts of the world, such as Canada and the United States, where members of the FEARGHUR family have migrated. Here, the name has continued to grow in popularity as more descendants of the original family have moved away from their ancestral homeland.

The FEARGHUR name has also been carried to Australia, especially over the past few decades. This is due to many Irish immigrants settling in the country, with the FEARGHUR family no exception. In fact, it is not unknown today for members of the FEARGHUR family from Ireland to reunite in cities like Sydney or Melbourne.

Given the FEARGHUR family's diaspora, the surname can now be found in many corners of the world. Whether it's folks from the Emerald Isle or descendants of those who left for better opportunities, you are likely to find someone with the FEARGHUR name in many locations.

Variations of the surname Fearghur

The surname Fearghur is an Irish surname and a variant of the names Ferrar, Farrer, and Farrar. It is derived from the Old French ferrer meaning 'to smite,' or ‘to strike’, which in turn became an occupational surname for a weaponsmith or an armourer. Alternative spellings are pronounced similarly and include Ferreur, Ferrour, Farrer, Farrar, Pharrar, Pharbour, Feargour, Fearghoor, Ferger, and Ferghar.

One variation of the FEARGHUR surname is James Ferghur, an Irish composer who wrote vocal music for the church. Ferghur’s hymn caucus was adopted by the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Varients for this name include Fergar and Ferghar. Ferghar is also a variation of the name Firkall which presides the Irish tree, Firkall. Another variation of FEARGHUR is Feurghall, a variation of the name Feigl based on O'Feigl, an Irish surname meaning 'son of Feig; and Ferghail, a variation of Fearail, a variation of the old Gaelic name Fearghal which means 'valor prince.'

The big picture of all Fearghur surname variations appears to stretch back to its origin in Irish Gaelic, suggesting people with these names all likely have a common ancestor. These surnames are still common across Ireland today and have spread worldwide to include Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Fearghur

• Laura Fearghur: an Irish-born actress who has appeared in numerous films such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Sunrise Over the Thar Desert, and Forsaken.
• Dexter Fearghur: an English professional footballer who had a spell with Tottenham Hotspur FC.
• Paul Fearghur: a former rugby union player who has won caps for Ireland.
• Matthew Fearghur: an English singer-songwriter who has released several albums and singles.
• Ben Fearghur: a British entrepreneur and philanthropist, and former race car driver.
• Lisa Fearghur: an Australian television and radio presenter, and model.
• Robert Fearghur: a Welsh barrister and politician who was a member of the Welsh Assembly.
• Josiah Fearghur: an English scholar who wrote extensively on philosophy and history.
• John Fearghur: an American country musician who has released a series of records and performed across the US.
• Siobhan Fearghur: an Irish singer-songwriter whose debut single topped the Irish charts.

Other surnames

FearghailFearghurs