Meaning and origin
The last name Farris has its origins in both the English and Scottish regions, being a variant spelling of the name Ferris. Derived from the medieval personal name Fergus, meaning "man of vigor," Farris evolved into a surname typically associated with individuals of Scottish descent. However, the name also emerged separately in England as a Norman introduction after the 1066 conquest, where it gained popularity due to its association with Saint Ferrières and Saint Félicité. Over time, it became anglicized to Farris. Today, the surname Farris serves as a testament to the diverse historical influences that shaped both English and Scottish family names.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,179
Farris was the 1,179th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 29,877 people, about 10 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Farris
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Farris is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.