Surname Farnon - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Farnon: What does the surname Farnon mean?
The surname Farnon is of English origin and has been observed in several locations across the globe. The name is of Norman French origin and is derived from the old French ‘fernon’, meaning ‘fern-plant’. This likely began as a nickname for someone who grew or exported ferns, as ferns were once valued for their medicinal properties. It may also refer to those with a strong knowledge of plants and herbs, or even to someone who lived in or near a fern-covered area.
The surname Farnon has been recorded in a variety of forms, such as Fernon, Fernen, Fernone, Farnham, Farnun, Fernin, and Farning, each slightly adapted to different regions. Records show that the name is most prevalent in the UK, especially in Wales and the North West of England. It is also common in Ireland, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Examples of the Farnon surname can be found in the 15th century, in the form of John Fernon, and also in a property record from 1505 in Yorkshire. Famous people who carry the name include British music composer Dennis Farnon, who is best known for his extensive work for television and film. Alder Farnon is a prominent Canadian diplomat and former Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs. Phil Farnon was an American-born British Bandleader, composer and arranger who worked in the early days of television, radio, film and record production.
The Farnon surname carries with it hundreds of years of heritage, as well as strong links to the nature, healing and botanical science which was integral to the lives of our ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisFarnon: Where does the name Farnon come from?
The last name Farnon is uncommon today and is mostly found in English-speaking countries. Its origin is believed to be of Gaelic origin, possibly derived from the Irish name "Ó Fearnáin". The name is believed to mean "descendant of Fearnán", with "Fearnán" being an Irish Gaelic forename composed of the elements "fear" and "an".
In the United States, the name Farnon is mainly found in California, Texas, and Arizona. Most of the families with the last name Farnon can trace their roots back to Irish immigration to the coastal cities of the United States. The name can also be found in some areas of Canada, although it is far less common there than in the United States.
In Great Britain, the last name Farnon can be found in rural areas of England, Scotland, and Wales. While there were a few prominent families with the last name Farnon in some areas in the past, today they are few and far between.
In Ireland, the last name Farnon is still quite common and is found mainly in Counties Cork, Limerick, and Clare. It is also more likely to be found in rural areas, as opposed to urban areas.
Overall, the last name Farnon is not especially common today, and is most likely to be found in the coastal regions of the United States, rural areas of England, Scotland, and Wales, and the rural parts of Counties Cork, Limerick, and Clare in Ireland.
Variations of the surname Farnon
The surname Farnon has many variants, spellings, and surnames that all have the same origin. These include Fearnon, Farnam, Farne, Farnham, Farnom, Vearnon, Veron, and Verona.
The earliest records of Fearnon can be traced back to Scotland in the early 12th century. It is related to, and derived from the old English/Scots language and translates to 'Fern Valley'. During the 1200's, many people began to spell the name differently due to their own local dialect, for example, Fearnon could be spelled as Farnam or Farnom.
The Fearnon clan is most closely linked to the Sutherland and Caithness counties in Scotland, but the clan is also found in counties of Northumberland, Yorkshire and Lancashire in England. The bulk of the clan emigrated to the United States, Belize, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia in the early-mid 19th century.
Farnam and Farne are two of the more common variants of the Fearnon surname found in North America. Farnham is a variant of the Shock surname found in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Veron and Verona are derived from either the Spanish or Italian variant of the Fearnon surname.
The surname Fearnon is an important piece of Scotland's history, and its various variants and spellings are still widely used by descendants around the world today.
Famous people with the name Farnon
- Robert Farnon (1917–2005): Canadian-born British composer, conductor, and arranger of light music.
- Harry Farnon (1930–2005): British composer, conductor, and songwriter.
- Paul Farnon (1944–2012): American conductor, composer, and arranger.
- Roger Farnon (1921–2006): English composer, arranger, and record producer.
- Alfred Farnon (1917–2005): British composer, conductor, and arranger.
- Stephen Farnon (born 1956): British composer, conductor, and arranger.
- Bill Farnon (1900–1978): Canadian-born, American-based composer, bandleader, and arranger.
- Jeff Farnon (1917–1992): American composer, arranger, bandleader, and entertainment executive.
- W.B. Farnon (1891–1948): English composer, arranger, and violinist.
- Kevan Farnon (born 1973): British composer, arranger, vocalist, and conductor.