Surname Farrelly - Meaning and Origin

Farrelly: What does the surname Farrelly mean?

The surname Farrelly is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O Fearghaill", which means "descendant of Fearghal". The personal name Fearghal is composed of two elements: "fear" which means "man", and "gal" meaning "valor". Therefore, the entire name could be interpreted as "man of valor" or "descendant of the man of valor". Farrelly is primarily connected to the regions of Cavan and Longford in Ireland. Over time, family members have emigrated, spreading the surname worldwide. Like many other surnames, variations in spelling of Farrelly, such as Farley, Fearley, Farrel, O’Farrelly, and others exist. These can often be attributed to a phonetic spelling by immigration officials or clerks at the time of immigration.

Farrelly: Where does the name Farrelly come from?

The surname Farrelly is of Irish origin, specifically derived from the Gaelic "O'Fearghaile," meaning "man of valor." The Farrelly family, part of the Gailenga, originally held territories in County Cavan and County Longford. During the Middle Ages, family names became necessary due to governmental and personal record keeping, and surnames like Farrelly were formed often based on a personal characteristic or geographical location.

The Farrelly surname underwent different spelling variations over the centuries due to the lack of spelling rules in early history and individual scribes’ translations. Variations include O'Farrelly, Farrelly, Farelly, Farley, Farly, Farely and numerous others.

Today, while it can be found worldwide due to the vast Irish diaspora, the surname is most common in Ireland. Nonetheless, many people with the Farrelly name have also emigrated to countries like America, Australia, Canada, and the UK, over the centuries, so it can be quite common in those countries too. Farrelly continues to be prevalent in the region of their ancestral homelands in County Cavan and County Longford, Ireland.

Variations of the surname Farrelly

The surname Farrelly has its roots in Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic name "O Fearghaile," which means "man of valor."

There are numerous variations and alternative spellings for Farrelly which include Farley, Fearghail, Ferally, Feraley, Farrely, Farelly, Ferelly, Farrylly, Faherly, Fairley, Feraly, Ferrally, and several others. These spellings have been adapted over the years due to the phonetic translations between the Gaelic and English languages.

The surname Farrel with a single "L" is also considered to be a potential variant of Farrelly, although it may also have separate origins.

Regarding the surnames of the same origin, there is the surname O'Farrelly, which is an anglicized version of the original Gaelic surname and basically adds the ancestral "O" prefix, indicating a descendant of Fearghaile.

It is noteworthy that different families with the name Farrelly may not necessarily be related, as surnames in Ireland were often taken from a common local ancestor or from a notable figure in the community. Thus, a family may have adopted the Farrelly surname based on respect or affiliation with a local leader bearing that name.

Famous people with the name Farrelly

• Peter Farrelly: He is an American film director, screenwriter, producer known for his association with comedies, particularly the cult hit 'Dumb and Dumber' and Oscar-winning 'Green Book'.
• Bobby Farrelly: He is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is the brother of Peter Farrelly and has co-written and co-directed several popular comedy films with him such as 'There's Something About Mary' and 'Shallow Hal'.
• Constance Mary Farrelly: She was an Australian politician who served as a Senator for Western Australia.
• Cindy Farrelly Gesner: She is an American actress known for her roles in 'Kingpin' and 'There's Something About Mary'. She is the sister of Peter and Bobby Farrelly.
• Shadie Farrelly: He is an Australian snowboarder who participated in the 2014 Winter Paralympics.
• Dermot Farrelly: He is a former Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-forward for the Meath senior team.
• Richard Farrelly: He was an Irish songwriter, policeman, and poet, best known for writing the song 'Isle of Innisfree'.
• Kenny Farrelly: He is an Irish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.
• Zenan Mark C.R. Farrelly: He is a specialist in family medicine in the state of Arizona.

Other surnames

FarrelFarrell