Surname McFerren - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McFerren: What does the surname McFerren mean?
McFerren is an Irish surname originating from the ancient Gaelic Mac Firbhuidhe. The literal translation of this Gaelic phrase is ‘son of the man of a fiery temper’. This surname has been popular in the Irish counties of Donegal and Cork since at least the seventeenth century.
The McFerren surname is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word ‘fearbhuidhe’, meaning ‘fiery man’. It is thought that the name was first borne by a warrior. The warrior was likely known for having a fiery temper, which is why the name became associated with him.
McFerren is believed to be a variant of other surnames, such as MacFirbis and MacFerran. All of these surnames stem from the Gaelic word ‘fearbhuidhe’, meaning ‘fiery man’. The family likely originated from one of the ancient clans of Ireland, such as the Ui Neill, who ruled the northern and central portions of the island before the Anglo-Norman conquest.
Although the exact origin and meaning of the McFerren surname is unknown, the name is still a popular one. Throughout the years, the McFerren surname has been carried by a number of prominent individuals, such as actor Barney McFerren and singer/songwriter Bud McFerren. In modern times, the McFerren surname is still popular in Ireland and is often found in Ireland’s diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFerren: Where does the name McFerren come from?
The last name McFerren is most commonly found in the United States and Ireland today. It is believed that the origin of the name came from the Scottish-Gaelic form of Macferran, which was used to denote someone who lived near a rocky crag. It has been suggested that early variations for the name also included McFarron, McFerron, McFeran, and Ferrin.
In the United States, McFerren is most often found in states such as Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and California. There is an especially large concentration of the name in the Midwest, with more than twice the national average.
In Scotland, the McFerren name mostly traces its roots to the area of Ayr and figures prominently in the District of Cunninghame, the ancestral home of the Ayrshire aristocracy.
In Ireland, the name is more sparsely distributed, but is still found around County Cork and Dublin. These McFerrens were likely descended from a Scottish clan that migrated to the island in the 1600s.
Today, the McFerren family is scattered throughout the United States and several other countries, making it a widely dispersed surname. It is a reminder of the importance of family, as well as an illustration of the global interconnectedness of people with a common surname.
Variations of the surname McFerren
The surname McFerren has various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant is “McFerrin”. Other spellings include “McFerran”, “McFerron”, “McFarlen”, “McFerren” and “MacFerrin”. The most common surnames derived from these spellings are “Ferrin”, “Ferrini”, “Ferran”, “Ferron”, “Farlen”, “Ferrans”, “Farrin” and “Ferrand”.
The McFerren surname has its roots in the Scottish and Irish clans of the time. It is thought that the name originated with the Gaelic personal name “Mac Firinn”, which was derived from the Old Irish name “Fearann”, meaning “land”. Over time, the name changed to “McFerren” through various phonetic adjustments.
A popular Gaelic sept of the name MacFirinn included the MacFerrans of County Fermanagh, and the McFarrens, which were centred in County Donegal and later County Louth. In Ireland, the name was also anglicized as “McFerran”, given to a large number of Catholic families in county Donegal.
In Scotland, the spelling “McFerren” appears to be more common than “McFerrin”. A number of families can trace their Mcferren name to the 1600s when they were living in Lanarkshire. The name “McFerran” was also used by some families in Clydesdale and Ayrshire.
Over time, the name spread to other locations in the United Kingdom and around the world. It can now be found in Canada, the United States, Australia and many other parts of the world.
No matter its spelling or origin, the McFerren surname is an interesting part of our shared history.
Famous people with the name McFerren
- Mackenzie McFerren: Singer and songwriter
- Kailua McFerren: Guitarist and actress
- Kaeno McFerren: Drummer
- Rian McFerren: Actor
- Tevin McFerren: Musician and producer
- Terrance McFerren: Rapper
- Hennesey McFerren: Singer and songwriter
- Wyatt McFerren: Musician and producer
- Tevonia McFerren: Bassist
- Trish McFerren: Drummer and MC
- Tamra McFerren: Actress and model
- Misti McFerren: Singer and actor
- Elino McFerren: Singer and dancer
- Rachel McFerren: Actress and writer
- Jael McFerren: Actor and director