Farrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  France 
  Ireland 


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

Early Origins of the Farrell family

The surname Farrell 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 Farrell family

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

Farrell Spelling Variations

Because early scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded, a person could have many various spellings of his name.Many different spelling variations of the surname Farrell were found in the archives researched. These included Ferrell, Farrell, O'Ferrall, O'Farrell, Farrelly, Fraleigh, Frawley, Frahill and many more.

Early Notables of the Farrell 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 Farrell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farrell World Ranking

In the United States, the name Farrell is the 658th most popular surname with an estimated 44,766 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Farrell is ranked the 545th most popular surname with an estimated 8,969 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Farrell is the 114th popular surname with an estimated 306 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Farrell as 318th with 11,148 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Farrell as 411st with 1,599 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Farrell as 384th with 16,670 people. 7


Farrell migration to the United States +

In the 18th and 19th centuries, thousands of Irish families fled an Ireland that was forcibly held through by England through its imperialistic policies. A large portion of these families crossed the Atlantic to the shores of North America. The fate of these families depended on when they immigrated and the political allegiances they showed after they arrived. Settlers that arrived before the American War of Independence may have moved north to Canada at the war's conclusion as United Empire Loyalists. Such Loyalists were granted land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula. Those that fought for the revolution occasionally gained the land that the fleeing Loyalist vacated. After this period, free land and an agrarian lifestyle were not so easy to come by in the East. So when seemingly innumerable Irish immigrants arrived during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s, free land for all was out of the question. These settlers were instead put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. Whenever they came, Irish settlers made an inestimable contribution to the building of the New World. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name Farrell or a variant listed above, including:

Farrell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Farrell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Farrell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Farrell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Farrell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Farrell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Farrell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Farrell migration to Australia +

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

Farrell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Farrell 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:

Farrell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Farrell (post 1700) +


The Farrell 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: Cu reabtha
Motto Translation: The rampaging dog.
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