Surname McFarlin - Meaning and Origin
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McFarlin: What does the surname McFarlin mean?
The last name McFarlin is derived from the Gaelic name MacFhearghailin, which originated in Ireland and Scotland. The name implies a familial relationship with Fergal, which is derived from the old Irish personal name "Fergus."
The root of this name has been interpreted to mean "man of valor" or "man of courage" due to the fact the original bearer had demonstrated some sort of exemplary bravery in battle, or had accomplished some grand feat. The word "valor" is derived from the Old French word "valoir," which means strength or worth.
The McFarlin name entered the United States in the late 1700s when the family emigrated from Scotland and settled in Maryland. From there, they spread out across the eastern seaboard and beyond. It is believed that there are now tens of thousands of McFarlin descendants in the United States.
The McFarlin family is proud of their name and rich history. To them, the last name symbolizes courage, strength, and perseverance. They appreciate the symbol of honor and respect that comes along with it. For many McFarlin descendants, the name serves as a reminder of their ancestors’ hard work and dedication to their families and the country they called home.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFarlin: Where does the name McFarlin come from?
The last name McFarlin is found in many parts of the world today, though it is predominantly an English name. It is most commonly found in the southeastern United States—especially in the coastal states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Though the name is not as proliferate as it once was, McFarlin is still somewhat common in the Savannah-Charleston area and in South Carolina’s Lowcountry as a whole. The surnames most often associated with McFarlin are McFarland, McFarlan, MacFarlane, and MacFarland.
Today, many people with the last name McFarlin are descendants of one of the earliest families to arrive in the southeastern US—Robert McFarlin was a distinguished Huguenot colonist who settled in South Carolina in 1672, and many of his descendants still live in the state today. McFarlin is also commonly found in certain parts of the United Kingdom, mainly in the counties of Essex, Kent, and Norfolk.
The last name McFarlin is associated with the traditional occupations of farming and naval seafaring. The McFarlins of South Carolina were mainly cotton and rice planters, while the McFarlins of the UK were typically associated with fishing and maritime trades. As with many other British surnames, McFarlinis also associated with the Jacobite cause—many McFarlin clansmen are believed to have died fighting for the cause during the Jacobite uprisings.
Variations of the surname McFarlin
The surname McFarlin has several variants, spellings and related surnames, all of which share the same origin.
The most common of these variants is McFarlane. This spelling of the name is most often associated with Scottish clan McFarland, however, it can also be used to refer to the descendants of Fergus McFarlane of Galloway.
McFarlan and Macfarlane are other variants used to refer to the same surname and Scottish clan. Both of these spellings come from the Gaelic Macfhearghail, meaning “son of the Lord” or “son of the Earl”, although the Hiram McFarland records show use of the Macfarland spelling as early as 1367.
The surname can also appear in its original form of McFarlin, which is derived from the Middle English MacFerldun or the Old Norse Macfirldun, meaning “son of the far old one”.
Related surnames include MacFarland, McFarling, Farlan, McFarren and Parish, all of which refer to descendants of first known bearers of the surname McFarland. Other variants can also be found, such as MacFarlend, MacFerrlin, MacFerlund, MacFerling and MacFarlay, all of which may have derived from a Gaelic origin.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames related to the original McFarlin family. These can all be traced back to the same origin, and share the common meaning of “son of the far old one”.
Famous people with the name McFarlin
- Lawrence McFarlin: Film Director
- Joe McFarlin: Writer and Senator
- Brian McFarlin: Professional Basketball Player
- Matthew McFarlin: Professional Baseball Player
- Kennedy McFarlin: Actress
- Michael McFarlin: Singer/Songwriter
- Jason McFarlin: Actor
- Adam McFarlin: Chef and Restaurateur
- James McFarlin: Political Activist
- Robert McFarlin: Actor and Producer