Show ContentsFraley Surname History

The Fraley surname comes from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, which means "a valiant warrior." 1

Early Origins of the Fraley family

The surname Fraley was first found in Leinster, where they were found mainly in County Longford.

Feargal, Prince of Annaly appears number 105 on the "Line of Ir" descendants. Ir was the fifth son of Milesius of Spain. This Feargal was slain fighting on the aide of Brian Boru at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. However, some writers doubt this claim.

From this progenitor, rose O'Farrell Ban, O'Farrell of Rathline, O'Farrell, the Chiefs of Clanhugh, O'Farrell of Mugh Treagha, O'Farrell of Kenagh and O'Farrell, Chiefs of Clanawley. 1

Early History of the Fraley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fraley research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1235, 1248 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Fraley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraley Spelling Variations

Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Fraley family name include Ferrell, Farrell, O'Ferrall, O'Farrell, Farrelly, Fraleigh, Frawley, Frahill and many more.

Early Notables of the Fraley family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Jean François Ferrel, a musician in Paris about the middle of the 17th century, wrote a small pamphlet 'A savoir que les maistres de dance, qui sont de vrays maistres larrons à...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fraley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraley Ranking

In the United States, the name Fraley is the 2,552nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 2


United States Fraley migration to the United States +

The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Fraley:

Fraley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Alexdr Fraley, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1727 3
  • Frederick Fraley, who arrived in North Carolina in 1766 3
  • John Fraley, whose Oath of Allegiance was recorded in Pennsylvania in 1777
  • John Fraley went to Pennsylvania in 1777
Fraley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Maria Fraley went to Philadelphia in 1804
  • Jeremiah Fraley, aged 30, who landed in New York, NY in 1846 3
  • Thomas Fraley immigrated to New Orleans in 1850
  • Patrick Fraley, who settled in Fairfield Co. Ohio in 1856
  • Christian Fraley, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1865 3

Australia Fraley migration to Australia +

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

Fraley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Pat. Fraley, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Osceola" 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Fraley (post 1700) +

  • Bradford Fraley (1878-1942), American Olympic fencer
  • Frederick Fraley (1804-1901), American businessman, politician, and civic leader
  • Oscar Fraley (1914-1994), American co-author, with Eliot Ness, of the famous American memoir The Untouchables
  • Henry "Hank" F. Fraley (b. 1977), American football offensive lineman
  • Patrick "Pat" Fraley (b. 1949), American voice actor
  • Robert T Fraley, American who received the 1998 National Medal of Technology as part of a team who pioneered achievements in plant biology and agricultural biotechnology, and was Co-President of the agricultural sector


  1. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. 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)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) OSCEOLA / ASCEOLA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Osceola-Asceola.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook