Surname Farrish - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Farrish: What does the surname Farrish mean?
The last name Farrish is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locative surname, referring to someone who was a person from a place named Farrish in England. Farrish is derived from the Old English words "fearh" meaning a grove and "hege" meaning a hedge or fence. The name likely originated when a member of a family living in Farrish moved to another area and adopted the name of their birthplace as their surname.
Farrish is a rare surname and is most commonly found in Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It first appeared in the mid-17th century in Derbyshire, England, and had spread across the border into Scotland by the end of the 18th century. The majority of those with the Farrish surname are of Irish ancestry.
The Farrish surname is derived from an English toponym, meaning it is derived from a place in England. Persons with the last name Farrish are related to those with the same or similar toponym from which the name was derived, which could include persons living in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, County Durham and other parts of England.
The Farrish name today carries a strong connotation of honor and pride as it links to the ancestry of its bearers. However, historically the name could also signify a sense of belonging associated with a specific region and the formation of a unique identity.
Order DNA origin analysisFarrish: Where does the name Farrish come from?
The last name Farrish is most commonly found in Australia, though there are a handful of people in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and elsewhere who also bear the last name.
In Australia, the Farrish name is especially common in the state of New South Wales. It is most often found in the Sydney area, particularly around the suburbs of Kingsford, Leichhardt, and North Parramatta. A few families also live in or around the coastal towns of Lennox Head and Ballina.
Farrish is an English-origin surname that can be traced back to the mid-13th century. The name is believed to have originated in the village of Farriston in Northumberland, England, and is believed to have been an occupational surname for people who kept ferrets. From there, it spread across England and then into the English settlement of Australia in the 1800s.
In the United States, people who bear the Farrish name may be descended from one of three separate pathways: immigrants from England, descendants of German-born Rudolph Farrish who settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th century, or descendents of Scottish-born Robert Farrish who immigrated to Virginia in 1745.
Farrish is not a particularly common last name, but it still exists throughout the world today, mostly in English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Farrish
The surname Farrish is an English derivative of Pharisee, which translates to ‘perspicacious’, and is thought to have derived from a Hebrew term used to refer to a member of the ancient Jewish sect. It is thought to have been adopted as a family name sometime during the Middle Ages, and has since been spelled a variety of different ways. Common variants of the surname Farrish include Farish, Farris, Faries, Ferris, Ferriss and Pharris.
Most of these variants of Farrish are found in English speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The spelling Ferris is most common in France, while the spelling Faries is most common in Scotland and northern England. Other variants of the surname are found in other languages, such as the Italian surname Ferrozzo.
Farrish is one of a number of related surnames that originate from the same root, such as Farrah, Ferrell, Fearnley and Ferrison. These other surnames all have the same meaning, but are found in different areas of the English speaking world. For example, Farrah is found in the United States, Fearnley is found in the United Kingdom and Ferrison is found in Australia.
Overall, the surname Farrish is an ancient one with a variety of interesting spellings and related surnames. While it is still most commonly found in English speaking countries, it is also found in other countries and in other languages, making it a truly global surname.
Famous people with the name Farrish
- John Farish: Former NFL linebacker
- Guy Farish: British Army officer and air force pioneer
- Reginald Farish: English recipient of the Victoria Cross
- Anderson Farish: American Methodist Bishop
- Dan Farish: Canadian musician
- Mariah Farish: American journalist and author
- William Farish Jr.: US horse breeder
- Robin Farish: Canadian Olympic athlete
- Victoria Farish: Canadian singer and writer
- Robert Farish: New Zealand soldier
- Peter Farish: American musician and composer
- Bill Farish: American horse breeder
- David Farish: British artist
- Jack Farish: Canadian hockey player
- Mary Farish: American historian