Surname Farraher - Meaning and Origin
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Farraher: What does the surname Farraher mean?
The surname Farraher is believed to originate from the Irish surname O'Farrer. It is believed to mean "descendant of the important one." This surname could also mean the descendant of a priest or master of the arts. Some variations of the surname include Farrah, Farah, Farrer, and Ferrer. It is a very popular Irish surname, especially in the South of Ireland.
The surname Farraher is often found in Gaelic and Irish language usage. It has even been thought to be a corruption of the Irish name ‘O Farraidh’, meaning “from the fern”. Several septs of the same name likely existed in ancient Ireland but with diverse origins.
Typically the Farraher family were prominent landowners in the medieval period. The family had holdings in several counties including Cork, Kilkenny, and Tipperary. Many Farrahers served in the Irish Army during the Cromwellian campaigns, and many later migrated to the United States and Canada.
Today the surname Farraher continues to be a popular Irish surname. It is found all over the world. In the United States, it is most prevalent in Pennsylvania and New York. Those bearing the surname are likely to be of Irish descent. The Farraher surname is a proud part of Irish heritage and likely to continue to be a prominent part of the Irish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisFarraher: Where does the name Farraher come from?
The last name Farraher is mainly found in Ireland today, particularly in the province of Munster. It is thought the name derives from the old Irish MacFioraire, which means "son of the knight". It is believed Farraher is a form of the more familiar O'Farraher, which comes specifically from County Clare in the west of the province.
The Farraher family would have come to prominence during the 16th century when the O'Briens of Thomond attempted to gain control of the area. As a leading family resisting this power, Farraher was one of the few families able to retain control. This resulted in them becoming an influential and distinguished family.
Today, Farraher can be found mainly in the Irish counties of Clare, Limerick and Cork. It is also quite common in the nearby towns of Galway and Sligo. Farraher is also a popular last name in North America, particularly in the United States, Canada and Australia, where many families with Irish heritage have made their homes.
Though the Farraher family may have emerged from humble beginnings, they have certainly left their mark on Ireland and are remembered today in the many branches of their family that can be found across the world.
Variations of the surname Farraher
The surname Farraher is of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from the O'Farreraigh sept of County Galway. It is most commonly found in County Galway, although other parts of Ireland have families with this surname. Alternative spellings and variants of this name can include Faragher, Farragher, Ferrara, Ferraraigh, Ferryer, Farrah, and O'Farrah.
The Farragh/e spelling is the most common version of the surname, and it is pronounced “for-RAH” or “FER-reh”. It is used by Irish families mostly in the western region of Ireland. The Farrah variant is also quite popular amongst families with this name in the western part of Ireland and is derived from the Irish word “fear” meaning “man”.
The Ferrara and Ferraraigh versions of the surname are more popularly used by Italian families, as this variation is derived from the Italian word “Ferrara” meaning “foraging”. Ferryer is another variant that comes from Ireland, and it variant is derived from the Irish Gaelic “fer” which translates to “man”. O’Farrah is the traditional Irish version of the name, and it is derived from the Irish O’Farreraigh septs of County Galway.
It is also worth noting that some families with this name do experience variations in the spelling due to language or transcription errors, so some additional variants could include, Farah, Farrar, Ferrer, and Ferrar.
Famous people with the name Farraher
- Zack Farraher: manager of 7 Eleven in Maryland and founder of a charity funding mission trips to do service work for marginalized communities.
- Joseph Farraher: former mayor of Portland, Oregon and founder of an organization dedicated to the revitalization of that city’s inner-city neighborhoods.
- Susan Farraher: award-winning television personality and executive producer known for hosting late-night comedy shows.
- David Farraher: Nashville musician and songwriter renowned for his country music compositions.
- Mary Farraher: founder and CEO of a high-end interior design and custom furnishings firm specializing in luxury and modern home décor.
- Chris Farraher: retired NASA astronaut known for his work on the International Space Station.
- John Farraher: award-winning independent film director best known for his basketball documentary Slam Dunked.
- Jean Farraher: the former Attorney General of New Jersey and current board chairperson of the Sierra Club.
- Lawrence Farraher: United Nations ambassador and member of President Obama’s cabinet.
- Peter Farraher: prominent Boston-based plastic surgeon who focuses on reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.