Surname Farrer - Meaning and Origin
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Farrer: What does the surname Farrer mean?
The last name Farrer (or Farrer-Horne) has roots in both English and French history. It is derived from the Norman French name "fauressere," which is comprised of Old French words that mean "from the farm." This family name was likely first used by a person who had property near a farm.
The Farrers were a prominent family during medieval times in England and are found in the records as far back as the 11th century. They held many high rankings in English society including Mayor of Coventry, Member of Parliament, and Lord of the Manor of boarstall, Oxfordshire. Farrers were also involved in the English Reformation and some of the family were vocal opponents to the Catholic church.
In modern times, the Farrer name still carries a semblance of English aristocracy. It is a name often associated with England’s upper classes and can be found in many aristocratic circles.
Overall, the last name Farrer is a high-ranking surname, steeped in English history and tradition. It is a remnant of England’s past and has been carried forward to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisFarrer: Where does the name Farrer come from?
The last name Farrer is common throughout Europe and the United Kingdom today. In the United Kingdom, the Farrer surname first appeared in Cumberland during the 1200s. During the 1700s, the Farrer family migrated to the Peak District in the English Midlands, and the Farrers that now live in this area are descendents of the original Farrer settlers.
In the United States, the Farrer surname first appeared in Virginia during the 1700s, as new settlers established their homesteads in the newly-formed colonies. After the American Revolution, the Farrers scattered across the United States to places as far west as California, but most of the family still live in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania today.
The Farrers are still common in Europe, and the epicentre of their concentration is in central France and the South of England. In France, many of the Farrer surnames originate from the ancient Normans who invaded the British Isles during the 11th century.
In addition to the United Kingdom, the United States and France, Farrers can also be found in other European countries such as Ireland, Finland, Germany, Italy, Holland, Spain and Portugal. Today, Farrer is still a fairly common surname around the world, and those with the surname proudly carry on the centuries-old Farrer legacy.
Variations of the surname Farrer
Farrer is an old English surname derived from the Olde English term ‘faerre’, meaning ‘iron worker’. As a result, many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin exist.
Variants of the surname include: Farrah, Farr, Fair, Farrier, Farris, Farrer, Von Farrer, Ferrers, and Ferrar. These forms can appear as both single and double ‘r’ variations, and can occasionally use the French spelling ‘Ferrier’.
Spellings of the surname include: Ferrer, Ferrer, Farrah, Farr, Farier, Farris, Farrer, Ferrers, and Ferrar. Surnames of the same origin also include: Farrar, Farraray, Farrall, Farrance, Farren, Farrington, and Farley.
A more unusual variant of the surname is Farless, which is derived from the Old English phrase ‘Faer Plessa’, meaning ‘iron plough’.
Other surnames related to Farrer include: Ferrell, Farrell, Ferris, Fettis, Felts, Follis, Fordyce, Fordice, Ford, and Forrester.
In the United States, particularly in rural areas, the surname can also take the form of Ferro, which is a regionalised spelling of Farrer most likely derived from the French spelling Ferrier.
Some of the oldest spellings of the surname, recorded since the 1200s, are Ferrers, Fer gir, Farrar, and Ferrar.
Famous people with the name Farrer
- Robert Farrer: Loyalty expert, public speaker, program designer, and CEO.
- Thomas Farrer: British astronomer and creator of star catalogue.
- Jo Farrer: Broadcast journalist for BBC Breakfast.
- Marty Farrer: Rugby league player for the Manly Sea Eagles.
- Sir John Farrer: British colonial administrator and politician.
- Greg Farrer: Australian cricketer.
- David Farrer: Australian lawyer and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
- Larry Farrer: American actor and film director.
- Lachlan Farrer: Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn and St Kilda.
- John Farrer: Poet and author who wrote works such as The Annals of Ireland: From the Earliest Period to the Union in 1801.