Surname Farrers - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Farrers: What does the surname Farrers mean?
The last name Farrers is an English surname derived from the personal name 'Ferrar' or from the Old French ‘ferrer’ which translates to 'iron worker'. It was likely first given to someone who worked as a blacksmith and forgesmith of metals. The Farrer family line is known to have descended from England through the Middle Ages and it is believed its first recorded use was in Bedfordshire in 1232.
The Farrers surname evoked a sense of strength and stability and its bearers may have been respected in the community for their trade and strength. This may have been especially prominent as blacksmithing was a necessary and appreciated trade during Medieval times, and it allowed for the repair and manufacturing of weapons, tools, and other items.
In addition to its metallic influence, the Farrers surname can also be seen as having religious connections as the name 'Ferrar' could also be derived from the Latin phrase 'de Ferrariis' meaning 'of the iron gate or entrance gate'. This name was likely given to a family for going above and beyond to protect the entrance of their church or priory although this cannot be confirmed.
Although its original intentions may not be certain, the last name Farrers has endured over centuries and can be seen in many modern countries. Even with its rich history, there are few Farrer families who trace their roots further back than the early 19th century. The Farrers last name still remains a mark of strength, antiquity, and honour and its bearers continue to live honorably today.
Order DNA origin analysisFarrers: Where does the name Farrers come from?
Today the surname Farrers is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is a very old name, first appearing in works of literature during the 12th century. Farrers is most heavily concentrated in England, particularly in the counties of Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk. It is also quite common in Scotland, especially in Aberdeenshire and Dumfriesshire.
As a Norman name, it may have been brought over from France, along with other surnames such as Fletcher, Foster, and Fotheringham. Many Farrers families have stayed in the same areas for hundreds of years; one example is the Farrers of Northamptonshire, who date back to the 1300s.
In the present day, the number of people with Farrers as a surname is thought to be in the tens of thousands. It appears to be favoured by well-to-do families, especially those living in the southeast or southwest of England, and also in Scotland.
Farrers is still a very popular surname within the United Kingdom, taking its place amongst other historic English surnames such as Bormans, Biggins, and Stonebanks.
Variations of the surname Farrers
The surname Farrers is derived from the Old English word fearr, meaning "iron." The variants, alternative spellings, and surname variations of Farrers are Farrar, Ferrers, Farrars, Ferrers, Farris, Fariss, Faris, Feris, Fairy, Fare, Fair, Fairr, Farr, Farre, Fairer, Farrier, Fear, Ferrer, Ferre, Ferrar, Fera, Feary, Faire, Pharice, Pharris, Pharis, Perris, Perres, and Perrins.
Farrar is a French variant of the name, coming from a Latin term, ferrum, meaning "iron." This is a popular version of the surname, which is likely due to the Norman Conquest in 1066. Ferrers and Ferrers is a different variation, most likely linked to an old English Baron and Landowner named William de Ferrers. Farris is another variant, thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. Faris was also thought to originate from the Latin ferrum, and is likely linked to French.
Fairy and Fare are both spelling variations of Farrers, often tending to sound slightly different. Fair is a name with multiple origins, coming from both the Middle English word “faire,” meaning “command,” as well as the French adjective “faire,” meaning “fair.” Fairr, Farr, Farre, Fairer, and Farrier are all variations of the same name. Fear, Ferrer, Ferre, Ferrar, Fera, and Feary are all derived forms of the namesake. Faire is likely a corruption of the French variation of "Farrer", while Pharice is thought to be derived from the Greek personal name "Phareth".
Pharris, Pharis, Perris, Perres, and Perrins are all different spelling variations of the name Farrers, all of which may be derived from the Old English “fearr.” In conclusion, there are many different variations of the surname Farrers, all of which can be linked to a common origin of the Old English "fearr".
Famous people with the name Farrers
- Gary Farrer: Gary Farrer is an Australian cricket player who represented Australian and New South Wales in three Tests and 32 First-Class matches from 1960 to 1972. He is remembered for scoring the winning runs in the tied Test against West Indies at the Gabba in 1960.
- Alan Farrer: Alan Farrer was a British Conservative politician and one of the earliest proponents of free trade. He served as First Lord of the Admiralty, Financial Secretary to The Treasury, President of the Board of Trade, and Secretary of State for War.
- Will Farrer: Will Farrer was an Australian agronomist who developed rust-resistant wheat varieties which made a massive contribution to the survival of the grain-growing industry in Australia.
- Jessica Farrer: Jessica Farrer is an American actress, best known for her roles in the TV shows 'Lost Girl' and 'Gotham'.
- Tom Farrer: Tom Farrer is a British businessman and Conservative Party politician who currently serves as Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
- Michael Farrer: Michael Farrer is a British entomologist and Insect Collection curator at the Natural History Museum in London.
- Fanny Farrer: Fanny Farrer was an American portrait artist known for her charcoal and pastel studies of New England scenes.