Surname O'Fearghail - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
O'Fearghail: What does the surname O'Fearghail mean?
The surname O'Fearghail is an Irish derivatives meaning ‘man of valour’. It is derived from the Irish name Fearghal which is composed of two Gaelic words: 'fear' meaning 'man' and 'gal' meaning 'brilliant'.
The surname originated from the O'Fearghail septs of County Sligo and County Monaghan in Northern Ireland. It is thought that the name was originally anglicized as Farrell, before being altered to O'Fearghail.
The O'Fearghail sept can be traced back to a 10th-century chieftain called Fearghal. He was a descendant of Columba, one of the three most important saints of Ireland and a direct descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the most powerful king of Ireland in the 4th century.
The O'Fearghail surname is fairly common in Ireland today and can be found around the world with many variations of the name, such as Farrell, Farleigh, O'Farrell, O'Farley and O'Farrelly.
Those who bear the name O'Fearghail can be justly proud of their roots and lineage; it is a reminder of the bravery of their ancestors and a reflection of their strength of character.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Fearghail: Where does the name O'Fearghail come from?
The Irish surname O’Fearghail is most commonly found in the province of Leinster, Ireland. Traditionally, its origin is traced to the powerful O'Farrell clan - and its members are descendants of the last high king of Leinster. Though their ancestral seat has long been lost, many of the O'Fearghail family are still found in the province of Leinster today, particularly in counties such as Carlow and Wexford. Additionally, the surname can also be found in other Irish provinces such as Connacht and Ulster.
Outside of Ireland, the surname O'Fearghail is scattered throughout the world, particularly in countries with strong Irish roots. For example, there is a large, growing population in the United States, with the name first appearing in published records in the late nineteenth century. Similarly, it can be found in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia - either through immigration or through descendants of emigrants tracing their roots back to Ireland.
Though the surname O'Fearghail is now fairly rare, it remains an important part of the Irish identity. It serves as a reminder of the long legacy of this ancient clan, and continues to inspire and motivate Irish people of all generations.
Variations of the surname O'Fearghail
The surname O'Fearghail originated in the Irish region of Maigh Eo, which translates into English as 'the plain of Descendants'. It is one of the oldest surnames in Ireland and is associated with the Gaelic culture. The most common spelling of the name is O'Fearghail, but it can also be found as O'Farrell, O'Ferrall, O'Ferrel and Farry.
The name Farry is a derivative of the O'Fearghail family name and is found mainly in the region of Ulster. The O'Fearghail surname was often Anglicized to Farrell in the 1700s, which is why it is a common spelling today. The O'Fearghail spelling is also used in Scotland, where it is interpreted as MacFarlane. The O'Ferrall spelling is also commonly seen in Scotland.
In the United States the O'Fearghail surname is mainly found as either Farrell or Ferrell. The O'Farrell spelling is also quite common in America, where it is sometimes transliterated as O'Ferrall.
The O'Fearghail name is rarely found in English speaking countries, but it is still prevalent in Ireland. The name is more commonly found in Irish Gaelic as Ó Fearghail or MacFhirbhisigh, which are the original spellings of the name.
In conclusion, the surname O'Fearghail has survived among the Irish for centuries and is still present today in various spellings and variants. There are many transliterations and derivatives of the name, including Farrell, Ferrell, O'Farrell and O'Ferrall. As with any surname, the spelling and pronunciation of O'Fearghail will depend on the country and culture of origin.
Famous people with the name O'Fearghail
- Fearghal O'Fearghail: He was an Irish publisher, the founder of a long-running literary journal in County Monaghan, Dobhar.
- Peadar O'Fearghail: He was an Irish political leader and the President of Sinn Féin, the Irish republican political party.
- Pól Ó Fearghail: He is one of the most recognisable figures in Irish rugby, having appeared in numerous books, magazine articles and television shows.
- Diarmuid O'Fearghail: He is a former Chief Executive of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
- Michael O'Fearghail: He is an Irish Fine Gael politician, currently serving as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
- Sean O'Fearghail: He was an Irish civil servant and the CEO and General Secretary of the GAA, the governing authority of Gaelic Games.
- Eugene O' Fearghail: He is a former chairman of the Teagasc Authority, the statutory body responsible for providing research, training and advisory services in the agricultural and food sector in Ireland.
- Gearoid O'Fearghail: He was an Irish politician, who was a member of the National Parliament of Ireland from 1923 to 1937.
- Martin O'Fearghail: He was an Irish Trade Union leader and the General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions from 1993 to 2003.
- Fearghas O'Fearghail: He is an Irish actor, director, producer and writer, best known for his work on Common Wealth, Joyriders and The Clinic.