UK surname
A surname derived from the Gaelic words "fear" and "sial," meaning a person of wandering or adventurous nature.
In the 1881 census there were 94 people recorded with the Farell surname, ranking it #20,467 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 38, ranked #35,537, down from #20,467 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Swineshead, North Forty Foot Bank, Drainage Marsh, Forty-foot Bridge, Gibbet Hills, Rakes Farm, Roya, Rainham and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farell is 232 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 59.6%.
1881 census count
94
Ranked #20,467
Modern count
38
2016, ranked #35,537
Peak year
1861
232 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Farell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Farell surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 76 | #20,127 |
| 1861 | historical | 232 | #10,535 |
| 1881 | historical | 94 | #20,467 |
| 1891 | historical | 121 | #21,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 56 | #27,952 |
| 1911 | historical | 103 | #22,328 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 23 | #35,612 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 21 | #35,798 |
| 2003 | modern | 18 | #36,115 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 22 | #36,105 |
| 2007 | modern | 24 | #36,072 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 35 | #35,676 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 38 | #35,537 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Swineshead, North Forty Foot Bank, Drainage Marsh, Forty-foot Bridge, Gibbet Hills, Rakes Farm, Roya, Rainham, Gateshead, Edinburgh and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swineshead, North Forty Foot Bank, Drainage Marsh, Forty-foot Bridge, Gibbet Hills, Rakes Farm, Roya | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Rainham | Kent |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Farell surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Farell, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Farell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Farell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Farell is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Farell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Farell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Farell originates from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have evolved from the Old Gaelic term "fear reilge," which translates to "man of the churchyard" or "graveyard keeper." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely employed as caretakers or workers associated with cemeteries or religious establishments.
During the medieval period, the name Farell appeared in various ancient Irish annals and manuscripts, showcasing its longstanding presence in the region. One notable mention can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a comprehensive chronicle of Irish history compiled in the 17th century, where the name is recorded as "Ó Faircheallaigh," an earlier spelling variation.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Farell can be traced back to the 13th century, with references to individuals bearing this name hailing from counties such as Meath, Westmeath, and Longford. For instance, Thady Farell, a landowner from Meath, is documented in records dating back to 1276.
Over the centuries, the Farell surname has been associated with several notable figures, including Reverend James Farell (1691-1751), an Irish clergyman and author renowned for his work "The Husbandman's Manual." Another prominent individual was Sir William Farell (1802-1871), a British army officer who served in India and received the Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath for his service.
In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the contributions of James Gordon Farell (1935-1979), an Irish-American novelist and playwright. His works, such as the critically acclaimed novel "Troubles," explored themes of Irish identity and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Other notable individuals with the Farell surname include Thomas Farell (1712-1789), an Irish politician and landowner, and Lieutenant General Sir Charles Farell (1859-1936), a British military officer who served in the Anglo-Boer War and World War I.
While the Farell name has its roots firmly planted in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by emigration and the diaspora of Irish families seeking new opportunities. Today, the surname continues to be a testament to its rich heritage, linking its bearers to the historical tapestry woven by their ancestors in the rolling hills and verdant landscapes of the Emerald Isle.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farell surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 12 Farells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.10x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 12 | 1.10x |
| Lincolnshire | 11 | 7.50x |
| Ayrshire | 9 | 13.12x |
| Durham | 9 | 3.30x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 0.98x |
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 2.70x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.66x |
| Midlothian | 5 | 4.07x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 2.16x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.28x |
| Sussex | 3 | 1.94x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 1.72x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 2.59x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.49x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.27x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.70x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.55x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 4.06x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.53x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.16x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.73x |
| Pembrokeshire | 1 | 3.43x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.22x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 7.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swineshead in Lincolnshire leads with 11 Farells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2291.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Swineshead | 11 | 2291.67x |
| Kilbirnie | 9 | 545.45x |
| Islington London | 8 | 9.00x |
| Birmingham | 5 | 6.49x |
| Shettleston | 5 | 188.68x |
| Iveston | 4 | 317.46x |
| Plumstead | 4 | 38.35x |
| Edinburgh Old Church | 3 | 303.03x |
| Lewes St Michael | 3 | 967.74x |
| Liverpool | 3 | 4.54x |
| Long Sandall | 3 | 7500.00x |
| Manchester | 3 | 6.13x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 2 | 10.82x |
| Govan | 2 | 2.73x |
| Moss Side | 2 | 34.97x |
| West Calder | 2 | 82.64x |
| West Derby | 2 | 6.29x |
| Acton In Northwich | 1 | 526.32x |
| Ashborne | 1 | 102.04x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 4.27x |
| Escomb | 1 | 80.00x |
| Everton | 1 | 2.88x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 1.90x |
| Hartlepool | 1 | 25.77x |
| Hawarden Pentrobin | 1 | 256.41x |
| Leeds | 1 | 1.95x |
| Llanelly | 1 | 11.49x |
| Monington | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Northampton St Sepulchre | 1 | 22.78x |
| Pelton | 1 | 76.92x |
| Preston Quarter | 1 | 45.25x |
| Ryhope | 1 | 52.91x |
| Southhampton St Mary Extra | 1 | 500.00x |
| St Marythe Less | 1 | 285.71x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.36x |
| Sutton | 1 | 30.96x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 2.71x |
| Uphall | 1 | 65.79x |
| Wallsend | 1 | 23.09x |
| West Ham | 1 | 2.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Farell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Farell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Farell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Horse Keeper | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Saddler | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Braid Lapper | 1 |
| Brass Dipper | 1 |
| Builder (Retired) | 1 |
| Cab Driver | 1 |
| Clerk To Architect | 1 |
| Dk Labourer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Flax Mill Hand | 1 |
| Furrier | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Iron Worker | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Bricklayer | 1 |
| Labourer Iron Works | 1 |
| Labourer Ship Yard | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Ordinary Seaman | 1 |
| Rivetter Shoe | 1 |
| Saddler Daughter | 1 |
| Saddler Daur | 1 |
| Saddler Wife | 1 |
| Serv Dom | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Servent | 1 |
| Solicitors Magistrate Clerk | 1 |
| Tailors Runner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 94 people were recorded with the Farell surname. That placed it at #20,467 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 38 in 2016. That gives Farell a modern rank of #35,537.
A surname derived from the Gaelic words "fear" and "sial," meaning a person of wandering or adventurous nature.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Farell bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.