Surname McFarell - Meaning and Origin
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McFarell: What does the surname McFarell mean?
The last name McFarell is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Mac Fearghail” which translates to 'son of Fearghal.' The name Fearghal combines the elements “fear,” meaning 'man,' and “gal,” meaning 'valor.' Therefore, the name McFarell can be interpreted as "son of the man of valor." It is common in Irish culture for surnames to denote lineage, embodying the identity and character of the individual. Although variations in spelling exist, including McFarrell or McFarrel, the meaning remains the same. Like many Irish surnames, the name has been spread worldwide through Irish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFarell: Where does the name McFarell come from?
The surname McFarell is of Scottish origin, specifically descending from the Scottish clan MacFarlane, which was one of the most powerful clans in the highlands. The Gaelic form of the name is 'Mac Phàrlain,' which means 'son of Parlan,' with Parlan being a derivative of the name Bartholomew. Variations of the name include McFarland, MacFarlane, and McFarlin.
In Scotland, the MacFarlanes had significant geographical influence, mainly near Loch Lomond, often causing conflict with other clans. Due to historical migration, the Great Irish Famine, and the Highland Clearances, many Scotch-Irish were dispersed to different countries.
Today, this surname, including its variation like McFarland and McFarlane, is common in English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, the United States, and, of course, Scotland and Ireland. Census data from Scotland (2011) and America (2000) indicates larger concentrations of people bearing this last name in these two countries due to historical immigration patterns.
Variations of the surname McFarell
The surname McFarell is of Irish origin and it belongs to the category of patronymic surnames, which means it was form from the personal name of an ancestor. The original form of the name was likely Mac Fearghal, which translates to "son of Fearghal" or "son of the brave one."
There are several variants and spellings of the surname McFarell, including McFarrell, McFerrall, McFerrell, McFarrel, and McFarlane. Other spellings could include MacFerrell, MacFarrell, MacFarell, and MacFarrel.
Additionally, similar surnames with the same origin may include Farrell, Farrel, Ferrall, and Ferrell. These versions have dropped the Mac or Mc prefix, which indicates "son of" in Gaelic names.
It should be noted that due to emigration and variations in phonetic translation, other versions or alterations of the name can occur. For example, the name could also be spelled as MacPharrell or MacPherrell, especially in the Scottish Highlands where the "Mac" prefix is more common than "Mc."
Furthermore, it's also possible to find the name hyphenated, such as Mc-Farrell or Mac-Farrell. This is especially common in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Despite all these variations, these surnames can be traced back to the same Gaelic roots.
Famous people with the name McFarell
- Mikey McFarlane: American television writer, producer, and actor most known for his work on the hit sitcom Family Guy.
- Daniel McFarlane: Jamaican-Canadian actor known for his roles in various Canadian television series like Monarch Cove, Killjoys, and Heartland.
- Bill McFarlane: Canadian actor and director who produced and starred in the film St. Urbain's Horseman.
- Brian McFarlane: Canadian television producer, commentator, author, and historian of Canadian hockey.
- James McFarlane: American writer and television producer best known for his work on the animated Adult Swim show The Venture Bros.
- Clinton McFarlane: South Sudanese-Australian actor and playwright most known for his roles in Crash Palace and Son of a Lion.
- Diane McFarlane: American voice actress known for her work in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Ben 10.
- Sinead McFarlane: Scottish actress known for her work in the TV series Shetland.
- Ian McFarlane: Australian actor, writer, and musician best known for his work on the Australian soap opera Neighbours.
- Kevin McFarlane: English actor known for his roles in the BBC series Murphy’s Law and the film Love Actually.