Surname Firris - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Firris: What does the surname Firris mean?
The last name Firris is derived from the Gaelic surname O'Firghis, meaning “son of Firghis”. The surname is believed to have originated from the Clan of Firghis, a prominent clan of the ancient Caledonian nation.
The clan’s homeland was located in the Moray and Banff areas of Scotland. The clan is believed to have derived their name from the Gaelic Fearchar, meaning “man of grace”. The Clan of Firghis was known to be very generous to their friends and allies, and fiercely loyal to their kin.
The first written reference to the Clan of Firghis can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, which mentions several Firghis family members as ruling over Inverness in the 15th century. The Annals also suggest that members of the Firghis clan were involved in various military battles throughout Scotland at that time.
The Firghis family spread from their homeland in Scotland throughout the British Isles, eventually settling in Ireland, England, and the United States. The name has since evolved to become Firris, Firriss, Feris, and Ferris.
Today, those who bear the last name Firris are all related to the ancient Clan of Firghis. They carry the legacy of their ancestors and embody the values of loyalty, courage, and generosity that the clan was known for centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisFirris: Where does the name Firris come from?
The surname Firris is common primarily in the British Isles, particularly in England, with a strong concentration in the counties of Lancashire and Staffordshire. It is also a common surname in western areas of Ireland and parts of Scotland. It can be speculated that the surname likely originates from these regions, although exact origin is unclear and sometimes attributed to Viking or Norman influences.
The surname can be found in records as early as the 12th century, in Lancashire, with a John Firis noted in the Pipe Rolls of 1195. Another earlier record is held in the Hundred Rolls from 1273 which noted a John Ferris of Hertfordshire. Recent records have seen a population of Firris in the Lancashire city of Preston in the 15th century, followed by a migration to other parts of Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries.
There is currently a population of Firris throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and North America. Today, the name is most frequently found in the southern and central regions of England, as well as western areas of Ireland. There is also a notable presence in Scotland. In the US, it is occasionally seen across the country, from the East Coast to the West Coast.
Variations of the surname Firris
The surnames Firris and Ferris are variants of the same origin. It is said to have originated from the Middle English personal name Ffeyres or Phayres, which is in turn possibly derived from the given name Ferrers or Ferris. The surname Firris has variants such as Ferris, Ferrers, and Ffeyres.
The early records of the surname date back to the 12th century in England, where the spelling was found in documents such as the Pipe Rolls and the Assize Rolls. It appears in the 12th century as Ferris and Ffeyres, which could suggest two distinct origins. In some records, the spelling was modified to Ffresp and Ffres, which could suggest an even greater range of origin.
The spelling of the surname changed over time, from Ffeyres and Ferris to other variations such as Ferrers, Feriss, Ferres, Fyres and Fyriss. All of these spellings appear on record in England, Wales, and Scotland. There is also an Irish branch of the Ferris family, which may have distinct roots from the other spellings.
Aside from the spelling variations, there were a few other variants including Firriss, Firris, and Ffirreiss. These surnames appear to be more related to the original spelling, Ferris, than to the other variants.
As the Irish branch of this surname can be traced back to the late 1600s, it may be that some of the variations in spelling were a result of the Irish language influence on the spelling of the name. In the 1700’s, there were many immigrants to the United States with these various spellings. All of these variations have been found in records of the United States since its inception.
Famous people with the name Firris
- Antwan Firris, American Pharmacist
- Elina Firris, French Figure Skater
- Emma Firris, British Author
- Huw Firris, British Soccer Player
- Jack Firris, Australian Businessman
- Jessica Firris, German Journalist
- Mackenzie Firris, American Musician
- Mae Firris, American Model
- Nigel Firris, British Actor
- Rowan Firris, Canadian Politician