Surname McFeirn - Meaning and Origin
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McFeirn: What does the surname McFeirn mean?
The last name McFeirn is of Gaelic origin and is thought to be derived from the Irish Ó Fheirn or Mac Fheirn. The literal meaning of the name is ‘son (or descendant) of Fheirn’, a name derived from the Gaelic word ‘fearn’ which means ‘alder’.
The majority of records of the McFeirn name indicate that originally the family was from County Monaghan in Ulster, Ireland. Other records show that the family can also be found in Scotland, suggesting that they may have migrated there in the 17th or 18th centuries, due to the displacement of Irish families during the 17th and 18th centuries, as a result of political upheaval and religious persecution in Ireland at the time.
Today, the McFeirn family is spread widely throughout the world. The McFeirn name is still found in different locations in Ireland, the UK, and further afield, and many new and wonderful adventures have been embarked upon in different countries.
The meaning of McFeirn remains a tribute to the family’s Irish roots, as an alder was thought to be a symbol of nobility and good fortune in Irish mythology. The family’s alder tree has given its members their distinctive surname and provided a unifying element to the McFeirns across the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFeirn: Where does the name McFeirn come from?
The last name McFeirn is most commonly found today in the United States, specifically in the states of California, New York, Texas, and Florida. The McFeirn surname has a long history in the US, having first been brought to the country with Irish immigrants in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Despite the Irish origin of the name, the family does not share direct ties to the Emerald Isle. Rather, the McFeirn's moved from Scotland to Ireland during the 16th century and settled in the Ulster province. The name itself is derived from the Gaelic McLochlainn—meaning "son of the bold leader."
Today, the McFeirn family can be found scattered throughout the United States. In California, it is most commonly found in the Santa Cruz County area, while in New York, it is present mostly in the Hudson Valley region. Texas and Florida also have strong McFeirn populations.
The McFeirn family are often known for their strong work ethic and a dedication to their communities, traits that have been passed down through generations. Their values have been established firmly in their social and cultural traditions, which remain strong even today.
Variations of the surname McFeirn
The surname McFeirn is of Irish origin, and there are several variations and spellings of the name that are found throughout the world. Examples of these variations and spellings are Mac Fearain, Mac Feerin, Mac Firin, Mac Feirin, Mac Feorn, MacFeurn, and MacFern. These variations and spellings may be found in the United States, Ireland, England, Scotland, Australia, and Canada.
The name derives from the Gaelic MacFearann, which means “son of the road” or “son of the marsh”. The name can also mean “son of the warrior”.
The different spellings of the surname may also be derived from different spelling conventions used in various parts of the world. For example, in some parts of Scotland, the spelling MacFeurn is favored, while in Ireland the more popular variation is Mac Feerin.
In terms of possible surnames that have evolved from the McFeirn name, these include Van Fern, VanFern, Fern dris, Feren, Fearn, Berne, and Fearne.
Although the origins of the surname vary, it is clear that the McFeirn name has been popular in many parts of the world since at least the Middle Ages. It is a testament to the durability of Irish surnames that the different spellings and variant surnames of McFeirn can still be found in the present day.
Famous people with the name McFeirn
- Colm McFerran: Irish Rugby Union player.
- Eamon McFerran: Woodpile drummer and song writer.
- John McFerran: former Irish Senator and former Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
- Mary McFerran: Grammy Award winning American country music singer and songwriter.
- Scott McFerran: Professional golfer.
- Conor McFerran: Irish Cricket player.
- Don McFerran: Australian actor, writer, and director.
- Seamus McFerran: Irish Professional footballer.
- Tyler McFerran: British Stand-up comedian.
- John McFerran: British barrister and QC.
- Richard McFerran: Broadway theater producer.
- Anthony McFerran: International cricketer.
- Patrick McFerran: Irish national coach and former Olympic swimmer.
- Chris McFerran: Professional mountain biker.
- Simon McFerran: Canadian comedian, actor and writer.
- Paul McFerran: founder and managing director of 3D Systems Ireland.
- Derek McFerran: Ulster-Scot composer.
- Stephen Mcferran: former Chairman of St Johnstone Football Club.
- William Mcferran: former Vice Chairman and Board Member of the Ulster Unionist Party.