Surname Feariss - Meaning and Origin

Feariss: What does the surname Feariss mean?

The surname Feariss is of Anglo-Saxon origin, possibly derived from the Old English word "fearh", meaning a place that was sacred to the ancient Celts. In some cases, the surname could be related to the French word "fier", meaning brave or valiant. This name could have been used to describe a brave and courageous person who was prepared to take risks and face danger.

Feariss could also be a locational surname, meaning a person originating from a place of the same name. In some cases, this could have been in Ireland or Scotland, where it could refer to a place near a yew tree, or a location that is related to a fearful event or tragic occurrence.

The surname could also have derived from the Old English word "feorresse", meaning a foreigner or stranger. In this case, Feariss may refer to a person who was either an immigrant to England from a distant land, or a traveler who lived in that place for some period of time.

The Feariss surname could also refer to someone who was a bearer of secrets or knowledge, as the word "fear" is associated with the notion of mystery and the unknown.

No matter its origin, the surname Feariss is now well-known and prevalent amongst families of Britain, Ireland and the United States. It is a symbol of courage and determination, and evokes a sense of mystery and discovery.

Feariss: Where does the name Feariss come from?

The last name Feariss is predominantly found in England and parts of Scotland. According to records from the 1881 UK census, the surname Feariss was found most in: Rutland (12.8%), Nottinghamshire (10.4%), Essex (6.5%), Lancashire (4.3%), and Staffordshire (4.2%).

The number of individuals registered as having the last name Feariss in England steadily grew until the 1940s, when it began to decline slightly. However, today it remains a relatively common last name throughout the country.

The Feariss name is also recorded in other parts of the world, primarily in the United States and Canada. Records from the 1880 United States Federal census suggest that the surname Feariss was one of the more common surnames in Ohio; 21 occurrences were recorded at the time. Similarly, Canada’s 1881 census saw 33 individuals registered with the last name Feariss.

Outside of the English speaking countries, the Feariss surname has been recorded in Australia, France, Germany, and other areas around the world. While the surname is uncommon in other regions, records suggest that there are still descendants of the name around the world.

Variations of the surname Feariss

The surname Feariss has many variations and spellings, and may have originated in multiple countries or regions. In England, it is typically spelled Feariss which can also be found as Fearis, Fearys, Faris, Fariss, Pharis, Pharris, Fryess, Fris, Frys, Fries, and Ferris. Most of these spellings likely derived via regional dialects from the Old French word “Ferez.”

In Scotland, the name usually appears as Fergus, which is derived from the Gaelic “Mac Fergus.” This variation is incredibly popular in the area and can also be found as Fergusson and Ferguson. Variants of this spelling include Ferries, Ferrieson, Fergusson, Fergie, Ferris, Fearis, Faris, and MacFarries. In Ireland,Feariss is usually spelled as O’Fearghail or O’Farrell. Both of these variations are derived from the Old Gaelic name “Ó Fearghail” meaning “descendant of Fearadhach,” which is made up of the elements “fear” which means “man,” and “radh” which translates to “courage.”

Further variations can be found in other regions. In Germany, the surname is spelled Pfarr, which is derived from the word “Pfarrer,” meaning “cleric,” while in Italy the name can be found as Phares, Farias, and Ferro. Meanwhile, in Latin American countries, the surname is often spelled as Ferraz, Ferras, Faraz, and Farias, making the total number of Feariss variants more than 20.

Famous people with the name Feariss

• Linden Feariss: former Aruban footballer.
• Gus Feariss: former Major League Baseball player.
• Hal Feariss: former English cricketer.
• Stephen Feariss: former Australian rugby union player.
• Bruce Feariss: former American football player.
• Corin Feariss: Canadian artist.
• Barrie Feariss: British aviator.
• John Feariss: British motocross rider.
• Anna Feariss: Australian entrepreneur.
• David Feariss: Australian film and television director.
• Liz Feariss: British author.
• Dale Feariss: American actor.
• Stephen Feariss II: former basketball player.
• Suzanne Feariss: British ambassador.
• Eliza Feariss: American model.
• Margaret Feariss: Australian politician.
• Richard Feariss: Canadian actor.
• Sean Feariss: American Olympic swimmer.
• Jonathan Feariss: British businessman.
• Diana Feariss: British fashion designer.

Other surnames

Fearis