Far Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Spain
Ireland

The name Far is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who was described as being fierce or lusty. The surname is derived from the Old English word farr, which meant bull.

Early Origins of the Far family

The surname Far was first found in Yorkshire. While most researchers believe that the name is Anglo-Saxon in origin, we must not dismiss the possible Norman origin. For example, Radulphus Fere of Nomandy was listed there in 1180 and 1195 and the Rotuli Hundredorum (Hundred Rolls) c. 1272 list Walter Fere of England. 1

Early History of the Far family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Far research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1381, 1400 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Far History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Far Spelling Variations

Far has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Far have been found, including Farr, Farre and others.

Early Notables of the Far family

Distinguished members of the family include

Farr of Yorkshire

Migration of the Far family to Ireland

Some of the Far family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Far migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Fars to arrive on North American shores:

Far Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Far, who landed in Virginia in 1663 2

Far Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Far, aged 27, who landed in New Jersey in 1775 2

Far migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Far Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Far, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)