O'Freiel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Many of the Irish surnames that are now common throughout the Western world have Gaelic origins. The Irish Gaelic form of the name O'Freiel is Ó Firgil, which later became Ó Frigil; the name means "man of valor."

Early Origins of the O'Freiel family

The surname O'Freiel was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The O'Firghil were descended from Eoghan, brother of St. Columcille. They were hereditary co-arbs of Kilmacrenan in County Donegal.

Early History of the O'Freiel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Freiel research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1203, 1299, 1538 and 1573 are included under the topic Early O'Freiel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Freiel Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, was what guided scribes and church officials in recording names, a practice that often led to the misleading result of one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname O'Freiel are preserved in documents that were examined for evidence of the family's history. The various spellings of O'Freiel included Friel, Freel, O'Friel, O'Freel, Freiel, O'Freiel, Frehill and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Freiel family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Freiel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Freiel migration to the United States +

North America received thousands of Irish immigrants from the English-ruled Ireland during the 19th century. Once in the United States or what would become Canada, these immigrants quickly contributed to the ongoing settling and industrialization processes. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. An exhaustive examination of immigrant and passenger lists has shown many early immigrants bearing the surname of O'Freiel:

O'Freiel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Morris and Catherine O'Freiel (also spelled O'Friel) who, who settled in Augusta County, Virginia in 1740