Farrell surname meaning

Farrell is an Irish surname anglicized from Ó Fearghail, “descendant of Fearghal.” Fearghal is a Gaelic personal name traditionally interpreted from elements for “man” and “valour,” but that older gloss belongs to the ancestor’s given name rather than literally describing each Farrell family. The name is strongly associated with County Longford and the historical Ó Fearghail kindred of Annaly, though unrelated families could use the same patronymic independently. O’Farrell and Ó Fearghail preserve older or restored forms. The catalog uses parent’s name with high confidence because the Gaelic descendant construction is direct.