Meaning and origin
The last name Ferrell derives from the Old Irish personal name "Fearghal," meaning "man of valor" or "man of great courage." It is a cognate of the Scottish name "Farrell" and the Welsh name "Fferyll," both of which share the same etymology. The surname Ferrell is believed to have originated in Ireland, particularly among the Gaelic-speaking population, and remains relatively common today.
The longer story
The last name Ferrell has a long history and a fascinating etymology. Here are all the facts known about this surname:
1. Ferrell is an English surname, derived from the Middle English word "ferr," meaning "iron," and the diminutive suffix "el." The literal meaning of Ferrell is "little iron."
2. Ferrell is an occupational surname, indicating that the original bearers of the name were involved in the ironworking trade. It was common for people in the Middle Ages to adopt surnames based on their profession.
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.
#1,043
Ferrell was the 1,043rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 33,418 people, about 11 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Ferrell
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Ferrell 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.