Show ContentsFarker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Farker

What does the name Farker mean?

The roots of the Farker family stretch back to the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands, who were the first to use this surname. It is derived from the Gaelic MacFhearchair which means son of Farquhar and Farquhar is derived from the Gaelic word Fearchar which means very dear one. So, the name means son of the very dear one. 1 2

Early Origins of the Farker family

The surname Farker was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they have enjoyed their seat at Kyle Stewart for many generations. The history is quite separate from that of Farquharson.

Robert Farquhar, Laird of Gilmilnescroft about the year 1350 was the first Chief on record and he was probably a direct descendant of Ferchart, father of Fergus, one of the chiefs setting the bounds of Newbattle Abbey in 1178. Descended was Ferkar, Earl of Ross, 1224-1231, and at this time a branch was started in the north at Caithness at Ederlarg. 1

Early History of the Farker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Farker research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1445, 1646, 1677, 1699, 1706, 1707, 1751, 1774, 1813, 1818, 1819, 1823, 1826 and 1839 are included under the topic Early Farker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farker Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Farker has been spelled Farquhar, Farquher, Farker, Farkar, Forker, Farquar, Farquer and many more.

Early Notables of the Farker family

Notable amongst the family at this time was George Farquhar (1677-1707), an Irish dramatist, born in Derry. He is bet known for his Restoration comedy, including his plays The Constant Couple (1699), The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707).3John Farquhar (1751-1826) was a Scottish dealer in gunpowder, born of humble parents at Bilbo, in the parish of Crimond, Aberdeenshire who by the time of his death had amassed about £1.5 million...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Farker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Farker family to Ireland

Some of the Farker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Farker family

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Thomas, Margeret, his son Thomas and James Fargar settled in Charles Town South Carolina in 1767; George Farquar settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1768.



The Farker 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: Sto cado fide et amis
Motto Translation: I stand and fall by faith and arms.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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