Offerrall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Offerrall

What does the name Offerrall mean?

The Offerrall surname comes from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Fearghail, which means "a valiant warrior." (O'Hart)

Early Origins of the Offerrall family

The surname Offerrall 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. (O'Hart)

Early History of the Offerrall family

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

Offerrall 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 Offerrall family name include Ferrell, Farrell, O'Ferrall, O'Farrell, Farrelly, Fraleigh, Frawley, Frahill and many more.

Early Notables of the Offerrall family

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 l'endroit des violons de France, n'ont pas royale commission...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Offerrall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Offerrall family

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 Offerrall: Bridget Ferrell who settled in Barbados in 1680; Katherine Ferrell settled in Virginia in 1649; Alexander Farrell settled in Virginia in 1656; Atkinson, Barney, Bernard, Charles, Christopher, Daniel, Dennis, Edward, Eiden, Francis, George, Hamilton, Hugh, James, John, Laurence, Lawrence, Luke, Martin, Michael, Patrick, Peter, Richard, Robert, Thomas and William Farrell, all settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860. Martin and Michael Frawly arrived in Philadelphia in 1868 and 1874.

The Offerrall 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.