Surname Farrars - Meaning and Origin

Farrars: What does the surname Farrars mean?

The last name Farrars is of English origin and is an occupational name derived from the Middle English ferrer, which means 'iron worker' or 'blacksmith'. As an occupational surname, it likely indicates that the family’s ancestor was a blacksmith or other metal worker, probably a fairly well-respected person who held a prominent position in the village. The name Farrar was most likely first used by someone who lived and worked near or in one of the many forges or places where iron goods were made. This occupation was often hereditary, in that the trade was passed down through family lines.

The surname is believed to have originated in the north-central part of England, especially the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire, two regions replete with small hamlets where two or three families lived and worked in the same area. Farrars were of a higher social standing than Smiths and far less common, suggesting a more specific craftmanship. Historically, the surname Farrars was likely used to identify a specific worker or business and added prestige to that individual.

The name Farrars is commonly found in various records and documents from the medieval period. It appears in the Yorkshire Subsidy Rolls from Yorkshire in 1301, and again in a number of other documents referring to events throughout England. Today, the surname is still quite common throughout the British Isles and America, suggesting a long and successful line of Farrar’s ancestors.

Farrars: Where does the name Farrars come from?

The last name Farrars is commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in England. According to the surname database, the Farrars family originated in England, with the earliest recorded spelling of the name being "Farrour," or "Farrar." The name is thought to be a variant of Farrer, an occupational surname given to a farmer or ploughman.

Today, it's most commonly found in the North West region of England. Lancashire is the English county with the most individuals with the Farrars surname. Yorkshire, Cumbria, Cheshire, and Northumberland also contain a heavy population of Farrars.

Aside from England, Farrars is also found in the United States, mainly in the states of Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, and California. The surname is rarely found outside of English-speaking countries.

Popular contemporary figures who sport the Farrars surname include cricketers Gary Farrar and Jimmy Farrar, as well as English actor and singer Christopher Farrar.

While it's not one of the most widespread surnames, the Farrars family is still a prominent English surname today, particularly within the North West region of England.

Variations of the surname Farrars

The surname FARRARS has variants, spellings, and other surnames with a shared origin. These can include Farrer, Farrers, Pharar, Pharars, Pharra, Pharres, Pharrer, Farrare, Faroures, and Frarrod.

Farrar is derived from the Old French word “ferrar”, meaning “ironworker” or “smith”. It was likely originally a nickname or occupational name for people who crafted or repaired items made out of iron. It is most commonly found clustered in northern England, particularly around the Durham area.

Variant spellings of Farrer and Farrers both derive from the Old French ferrar, though Farrers can also be an anglicized version of the Welsh name Pharro. The -s ending indicates that it is a patronymic name, a name that was given to the son of a man who bore the surname Farrer.

Pharar is a variant name of Farrer and Originated from the Welsh word “parhaear” meaning “smith”. Pharars is a variant spelling of Pharar, while Pharra is another variant spelling of Farrer. Pharres is yet another variant of Farrer from Welsh sources and may have derived from the Welsh personal name “Parres”.

Pharrer is a variant spelling of Farrer that may have been adopted by non-English speakers as a result of phonetic confusion. Farrare is another variant of Farrer with French influence, while Faroures may have been a spelling adopted by non-French speakers. Frarrod is also a variant of Farrer, likely derived from the Old Frisian “frær”, meaning “friar” or “monk” which could have been another occupational name.

Famous people with the name Farrars

• James Farrar: British Uber Driver and Co-founder of United Private Hire Drivers.
• Eileen Farrar: Irish Singer and Actress.
• Claire Farrar: American Actress and Reporter.
• Cy Farrar: Canadian CEO and Entrepreneur.
• Andrew Farrar: British Actor and Writer.
• Thomas Farrar: American Politician.
• Ann Farrar: Australian Sportswoman and Administrator.
• Adam Farrar: English Musician.
• Phil Farrar: Scottish Footballer.
• Christina Farrar: American Activist and Educator.
• Jordan Farrar: American Basketball Player.
• John Farrar: English Singer-Songwriter.
• Jodie Farrar: British Actress.
• Richard Farrar: British Actor.
• Marcel Farrar: French Film Producer and Director.
• Michael Farrar: American Naval Officer and Writer.
• Henry Farrar: British Newspaper Editor.
• William Farrar: American Educator and Administrator.
• Samantha Farrar: American Actress.
• Graham Farrar: Australian Photographer.

Other surnames

FarraherFarralFarrallFarrarFarras