Surname McFarran - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McFarran: What does the surname McFarran mean?
The surname McFarran is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Fhearghain, which is derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic word "fearghain" meaning "manly". This is a descriptive name for someone who was brave and courageous in battle.
Variations of this surname can be found as MacFarren, McFarland or McFarlan. The McFarran surname can be found mainly in the counties of Tyrone and Monaghan in Northern Ireland, and in the Scottish Lowlands.
McFarran's origin dates back to the 13th century in Scotland and to the 16th century in Ireland. The McFarran's were originally members of the Highlanders clans and were loyal to Clan Campbell of Glenorchy. McFarran's were known as rugged and strong-willed protectors of their clans and were appointed to hold the position of Sheriff of their clans at one point in time.
During the Scottish Highland Clearances, most of the McFarran clans were forced off their land by the Campbells and eventually settled in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The McFarran surname is now a widely spread one, with records of the name being found in Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The modern meaning of the surname today is strength, courage, loyalty, and a sense of protection.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFarran: Where does the name McFarran come from?
The last name McFarran is common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, and Canada.
In the United Kingdom, the McFarran surname is most commonly associated with Scotland. McFarran is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Phàrlain which translates to "son of Parlan" or "son of Bartholomew", indicating the family originated in the area. The original form of the name McFarlane dates back to the 12th century in Scotland.
In Ireland, the McFarran surname is most commonly associated with County Antrim. The Irish form of the name is Mac Phárráin. This family were a Gaelic sept of the Uí Néill located in the Province of Ulster near Belfast.
In the United States and Canada, McFarran is a common surname among the Scottish, Irish, and English immigrants who settled in North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The American spelling of the name, McFarlane, is also common in the United States. In Canada, the McFarran surname is most commonly associated with Ontario and Quebec.
Today, McFarran is still a relatively common last name in the 4 countries which have historically been associated with the surname. However, due to increased immigration over the years, McFarran is now found in many more countries around the world.
Variations of the surname McFarran
The surname McFarran has various variants, spellings, and surnames that are derived from the same origin. These variations of the surname McFarran include (but are not limited to) McFarlane, McFarlan, MacFarlane, MacFarlan, and MacFarland. It is an anglicised form of the Scottish Gaelic name Mac Phàrlain which means 'son of Parlan' or 'son of Bartholomew'.
The surname MacFarlane of this family was first mentioned in an act of the Scottish Parliament in 1617, as 'Gillcardronach Mcfarlane'. Despite this, it is thought that the family were already well-established in Loch Lomond, Scotland by the 13th century. The spelling of the name changed over the centuries, gradually becoming 'Macfarlane', 'Macfarlan', 'Mcfarlan' and so on.
The variants of the surname McFarran have also been found in various parts of the world. In Ireland, the McFarlan (McFarran) name appears in multiple records dating back hundreds of years. It is still found today amongst Ulster-Scots in the North of Ireland. In Scotland, the first record of the name MacFarlane was in 1237, in the form of 'Duncan M'Farlane', a tenant of lands in Argyll.
The same name can also be found in record sources from North America, suggesting that at some point a family of this name migrated from Scotland. Variants such as McFarlane, MacFarlane and MacFarland, can be found in records from Canada and the United States. The earliest record of the spelling MacFarland being reported was in 1787, in the form of the name 'Alexander MacFarland', who was a resident of Virginia.
All of the above variants of the surname McFarran ultimately come from the same origin and have been found in various countries and records. The name has evolved in different ways and still exists in the present day.
Famous people with the name McFarran
- Dave McFarran: British politician, Member of European Parliament and former leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament.
- J. Richard McFarran: American writer and theologian.
- Keith McFarran: Canadian journalist and film critic.
- Ed McFarran: American professional basketball player.
- Larry McFarran: American pro basketball player for the Boston Celtics.
- Helen McFarran: American politician from Arizona, former member of the Arizona House of Representatives.
- Andrew McFarran: former English footballer who played in the Football League for Brentford, Rochdale and elsewhere.
- Lieutenant-General Sir John McFarran: Australian Army officer and acting Governor of New South Wales between 1940 and 1947.
- Danny McFarran: American racing driver, competed in the USAC Championship Car series.
- John McFarran: British Army officer in the late 18th century and a Member of Parliament.