Surname Farrie - Meaning and Origin
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Farrie: What does the surname Farrie mean?
The meaning of the last name Farrie is not wholly known, however guesses can be made based on its origins. Farrie is most likely derived from the French word “faire”, meaning “to do” or “to make.” “Faire” is a French verb that can also mean “to be” or “to become.” This suggests that the individuals with this last name are likely to be skilled in doing and creating things, as well as adapting to new and changing conditions.
A further origin for the Farrie surname could be from an Old Norse word, “ferr”, which means “traveler” or “journeyman.” This suggests that the Farrie family possibly had deep roots in traveling, and they may have had a lengthy history of migration throughout Europe and the world.
The Farrie name could have also been derived from a location. Salop, in Shropshire, England, was home to the Farrie family as early as the 12th century, and it is possible that the name originated from this part of the United Kingdom. Other locations throughout the United Kingdom and Europe may also have served as the origin of the Farrie last name.
Regardless of the origin of the Farrie surname, those with the name are likely to be skilled in many tasks, have a long and proud history of migration, and be associated with a location.
Order DNA origin analysisFarrie: Where does the name Farrie come from?
The last name Farrie is most commonly found in Scotland, England, and Ireland. There are several variations of the name such as Farrie, Ferrie, Ferrey, Farry, and Ferry, however, Farrie is the most commonly used.
In Scotland, the name Farrie is most commonly found in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and Fife. It is believed that the origins of the name Farrie in Scotland stem from the Old English surname 'Fere' or 'Farr'.
In England, Farrie is most often found in Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. The main concentration of the name in England is found in the Midlands and North West.
In Ireland, Farrie is found mainly in counties Cork and Down which are located in the South and North East of the country respectively. The Irish variant of the name, Farragher, is still considered an Irish surname in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The most common occupation associated with the Farrie name is farming. This occupation has been associated with the Farrie name across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Scotland for centuries.
The surname Farrie is also linked to several notable public figures. A selection includes: Adam Farrie, a sixteenth century Scottish lawyer, Joseph Farrie, a British Army soldier who served during the Second Boer War, and William Arthur Farrie, an Australian political figure.
Variations of the surname Farrie
FARRIE is a surname that originated in the United Kingdom and is believed to have been derived from the old English term for a "landholder". Variants of this surname include FEARIE, FERRY, FAIRY, FERRIE and FAREY. Some alternative spellings include FARIE, FAWRY, FEARY, FEREY, and FERREY. The early records of the surname reveal that it was associated with lands in a variety of locations, such as Farriland in Limavady in County Londonderry, and Farrietownhall in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The popularity of the surname has led to its use in a variety of other languages and countries, where it may be spelled differently while still retaining the same origin. Some of the more common foreign variations of FARRIE include FERRI (Italian), FARÍ (Czech/Hungarian), PEYRIE (French), and FARREY (Germany). Additionally, surnames with a similar sound and origin that have developed as patronymics (e.g. FARRAR) or changed over time due to recordings errors of census officials (e.g. FARRICK) are also related to FARRIE.
Altogether, 1181 people in Great Britain and Ireland bear the surname FARRIE, across 149 distinct spellings and variants. As the name grew in popularity, variations spread to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, the patronymic variants of FARRIE are most frequent in Scotland, England, and Ireland, while the original spelling is still most commonly found in Northern Ireland.
Famous people with the name Farrie
- John Farrie: Scottish professional football player who scored the 100th goal in Rangers Football Club's history.
- John Farrie: British comic writer, editor, and publisher who created Fleetway's The Beano and The Dandy comic books.
- June Farrie: athlete who competed for the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in the 4x100 meter relay, placing 4th.
- Bill Farrie: Canadian politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta from 2004 to 2019.
- Adriene Farrie: American attorney and philosopher who was the first woman president of her college's fraternity.
- Josh Farrie: British actor and model who is best known for his role as the street dancer Jimmy in the film "StreetDance 3D".
- Francine Farrie: French actor, singer and comedian who performed in the 1960s as part of the vaudeville duo, Farrie and Meme.
- William Farrie: Scottish theologian and minister who authored "A Compend of Christian Principles" (1795).
- Yvette Farrie: American actress, producer and social media influencer who was a series regular on WE TV’s “Cutting It: In the ATL”.
- Barry Farrie: English author of novels and short stories, notably "The House of Sunflowers" (1984).