Furey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Furey is an ancient Strathclyde-Briton name for a person who worked as a person who equipped horses. The ferrier was involved in the equipping of horses, from harness to shoes. This occupation was similar to that of the English blacksmith, however, the ferrier also fashioned the leather pieces of the harness. This occupation was extremely important in the Middle Ages, as horses were the primary mode of transportation. Furey is therefore, an occupational surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Occupational surnames were derived from the primary activity of the bearer. In the Middle Ages, people did not generally live off of the fruits of their labor in a particular job. Rather, they performed a specialized task, as well as farming, for subsistence. Other occupational names were derived from an object associated with a particular activity.

Early Origins of the Furey family

The surname Furey was first found in Forfarshire part of the Tayside region of North Eastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, where they held a family seat from early times.

Early History of the Furey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Furey research. Another 151 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1301 is included under the topic Early Furey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Furey Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Furey has appeared as Ferrier, Ferriers, Ferrair, Ferryar, Feriar, Ferier and many more.

Early Notables of the Furey family

More information is included under the topic Early Furey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Furey Ranking

In the United States, the name Furey is the 11,707^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Furey is ranked the 530^th most popular surname with an estimated 87 people with that name. 2

Furey migration to the United States +

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:

Furey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Furey, who arrived in America in 1795 3

Furey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mathew Furey, aged 23, who arrived in Maine in 1812 3
Andrew Furey, aged 29, who landed in New York in 1812 3
William Furey, who landed in Harford County, Maryland in 1833 3

Furey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Furey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Furey, a glazier, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832

Contemporary Notables of the name Furey (post 1700) +

Francis James Furey (1905-1979), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of San Diego (1966-1969) and Archbishop of San Antonio (1969-1979)
Kevin Timothy Furey, American politician, Democratic Party member of the Montana House of Representatives (2004-2007)
Joe Furey, American Primetime Emmy Award nominated is a comedian, writer and producer
John Furey, American actor, best known for his role in the 1981 horror film Friday the 13th Part 2
Sean Furey (b. 1982), American javelin thrower at the 2012 Summer Olympics
George Furey QC (b. 1948), Newfoundland-born, Canadian Senator Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador (1999-)
Charles James Furey (1874-1973), Newfoundland businessman and politician who represented Harbour Main-Bell Island in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1932 to 1934
Dr. Andrew Furey MD, FRCSC (b. 1975), Canadian orthopedic surgeon and politician, 14th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador (2020-)
May Edith Evelyn Furey (1891-1962), English-born, New Zealand machinist, political activist and feminist
Dan Furey (1909-1993), Irish dance teacher and fiddle player
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Furey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Diligentia ditat
Motto Translation: Industry renders rich.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
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)