Show ContentsFarrington History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Farrington surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the township of Farington located near Penwortham, Lancashire. "In the 10th of Edward III., William de Farington held certain portions of land here, and 14s. rent, in trust for the abbot." [1]

Another source confirms Lancashire as the original homestead for the family as they hail from "Farington, an estate in the parish of Penwortham, co. Lancaster. Farington or Ffarington Hall was the residence of the family from temp. Henry III. till the year 1549." [2]

Little Faringdon, located in Oxfordshire, dates back to Saxon times when it was known as Faerndunae c. 971 but by the Domesday Book of 1086, it was known as Ferendone, [3] and literally meant "fern-covered hill." Farringdon is also found in Devon and Dorset while Great Farringdon is markettown and parish in Berkshire. "Here the Saxon kings had a palace, in which Edward the Elder expired (died). The town acquired some celebrity during the war between the Empress Matilda and Stephen, from a castle erected by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, who defended it for the empress with distinguished bravery, until want of provisions compelled him to surrender, on which Stephen levelled it with the ground. " [1]

Early Origins of the Farrington family

The surname Farrington was first found in Lancashire at Farington, a small village and civil parish in the South Ribble local government district. The earliest record of the place name dates back to 1149 when it was listed as Farinton, and literally meant "farmstead where ferns grow" from the Old English words fearn + tun. [4]

William Faryngdon, goldsmith, in 1229, "purchased of Ralph le Feure all the aldermanrie, and the appurtenances, within the city of London and the suburbs of the same, between Ludgate and Newgate, and also within the same gates which Ankeritus de Auene held, during his life, by grant of Thomas Auerne." [5]

In Somerset, Roger Faryndon was listed there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) [6] William de Farington was listed in Lancashire in 1376 and years later, William de Faryngton was listed in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire in 1402-1403. [7]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included a entry for Johannes de Feryngton. [8]

Early History of the Farrington family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Farrington research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1279, 1306, 1379, 1399, 1400, 1595, 1598, 1608, 1609, 1640, 1644, 1647, 1658, 1659, 1660, 1679, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1698, 1701, 1708, 1713, 1719 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Farrington History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farrington Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Farrington include Farrington, Farringdon, Ferrington, Ferringdon, Farrinton, Ferrinton, Farringtown, Ferringtown, Farington, Ferington, Ferringtowne, Farrintowne, Farringtowne, Ferrintown, Farrintone and many more.

Early Notables of the Farrington family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Sir John Farrington
  • John Farrington (c 1609-1680), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Chichester (1660) and (1679-1680)
  • William Farrington (died 1659), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Lancashire in 1640

Farrington Ranking

In the United States, the name Farrington is the 3,009th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. [9]

Ireland Migration of the Farrington family to Ireland

Some of the Farrington family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 236 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Farrington migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Farrington Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edmond Farrington, aged 47, from Buckinghamshire, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell", bound for Long Island, NY [10]
  • Mrs. Eliza Farrington, from Buckinghamshire, aged 49, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell", bound for Long Island, NY [11]
  • Miss Sarah Farrington, aged 14, from Buckinghamshire, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell", bound for Long Island, NY [11]
  • Matthew Farrington, aged 12, from Buckinghamshire, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell", bound for Long Island, NY [11]
  • John Farrington, aged 11, from Buckinghamshire, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell", bound for Long Island, NY [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Farrington Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Farrington, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [10]

Canada Farrington migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Farrington Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Farrington, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mrs. Margaret Farrington U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 resettled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward Island], Ontario with husband Robert [12]
  • Mr. Robert Farrington U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York [12]
  • Mr. Stephen Farrington U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1786 [12]

Australia Farrington migration to Australia +

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

Farrington Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Philip Farrington, (b. 1803), aged 30, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years for theft, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1868 [13]
  • Mr. Michael Farrington, (b. 1797), aged 46, Irish shepherd who was convicted in Wicklow, Ireland for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Constant" on 9th May 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [14]
  • Charles Farrington, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Medway" in 1846 [15]
  • Margaret Farrington, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Medway" in 1846 [15]
  • Charles Moulden Farrington, aged 21, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Medway" in 1846 [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Farrington 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:

Farrington Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Farrington, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "British King" in 1883
  • Ellen Farrington, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "British King" in 1883
  • Harry Farrington, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "British King" in 1883

Contemporary Notables of the name Farrington (post 1700) +

  • Colleen Leigh Farrington (1936-2015), American model and nightclub singer, mother of Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Lane
  • Sir Anthony Farrington (1742-1823), 1st Baronet, British general and colonel-commandant first battalion royal artillery in Gibraltar and in the American War of Independence
  • Adele Farrington (1867-1936), American silent era actress who appeared in 74 films from 1914 and 1926
  • John R. "Bo" Farrington (1936-1964), American NFL football player for the Chicago Bears from 1960 through 1963
  • Joseph Rider Farrington (1897-1954), American newspaper editor and statesman
  • Mary Elizabeth Pruett Farrington (1898-1984), American publisher of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and an American statesman, wife of Joseph Farrington
  • Annette Farrington, born Annette Kramer, Boston-based acoustic electric psychedelic singer-song-writer
  • Betty Farrington (1885-1967), American actress
  • Ira Donald "Don" Farrington (d. 2000), American aviator
  • Daniel T. Farrington Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1944 (alternate), 1956 [16]
  • ... (Another 40 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Frank Rock Slide
  • Mr. Fred Farrington, "Tanningia", Canadian resident of Frank, Alberta who was buried in the Frank Rock Slide on 29th April 1903 [17]


The Farrington 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: Le bon temp viendra
Motto Translation: Good times will come.


Suggested Readings for the name Farrington +

  • Farrington and Kirk Family: Ancestors and Descendants of Abraham Farrington (1765-1845) of New Jersey and Ohio and Wife Deborah Kirk (1765-1829) of Chester Co., Pennsylvania by Herschel B. Rochelle.
  • The Farringtons, Colonists and Patriots: Descendants of John of Dedham, Massachusetts, Edmund of Lynn, Massachusetts, Edward of Flushing, New York by Dorothy Farrington Parker.

  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  6. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  7. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  8. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  9. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  10. 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)
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/constant
  15. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MEDWAY 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Medway.htm
  16. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  17. Calgary Herald news article retrieved 11th August 2021. Retrieved from https://smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Calgary_Herald_Thu__Apr_30__1903_-copy-scaled.jpg


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