Farrell
A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Fearghail," meaning "descendant of Fearghail" (brave or courageous).
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 60,805 Americans carry the last name Farrell. That puts it at #652 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 17.74 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 5,637 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Farrell surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
61K
1 in 5,637
Census rank
#652
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
17.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
52K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 52,321 bearers of the surname Farrell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 17.74 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 652nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Farrell, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.9%. The next largest groups are Black (4.8%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Farrell
The surname Farrell is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name "Fearghail" or "Fear Ghal", which means "man of valor" or "man of the bright foreigner". It is an ancient name that can be traced back to the early medieval period in Ireland.
The name Farrell is believed to have its roots in County Longford, where it was prominent among the O'Farrell clan, a sept of the Ui Briuin dynasty. The O'Farrells were lords of Annaly, a territory that encompassed parts of modern-day Counties Longford, Westmeath, and Cavan.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Farrell can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention several members of the O'Farrell clan, including Conchobhar O'Farrell, who was slain in a battle in 1187.
In the 14th century, the Farrells were among the prominent Irish families who resisted the Norman invasion and fought to maintain their independence. During this period, the name appears in various records and documents, sometimes with alternative spellings such as O'Ferrall, Ferrell, or Farrell.
Notable historical figures with the surname Farrell include:
1. Ferghal O'Farrell (c. 1265 - c. 1330), an Irish nobleman and lord of Annaly.
2. Sir Thomas Farrell (c. 1560 - 1620), an English soldier and colonist who played a role in the Plantation of Ulster.
3. Nicholas Farrell (1647 - 1718), an Irish Catholic priest and writer who published works on theology and philosophy.
4. Edmond Farrell (1763 - 1835), an Irish-born American soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
5. John Theophilus Farrell (1804 - 1892), an Irish-born Anglican clergyman and author who served as Bishop of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
The surname Farrell has a long and storied history, with roots deeply embedded in the rich cultural tapestry of Ireland. It has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including noblemen, soldiers, clergy, and writers, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Farrell
Among Census respondents with the surname Farrell, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.9%. The next largest groups are Black (4.8%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Farrell bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Farrell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White89.9%
- Black or African American4.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Farrell surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #652 | #652 | 0.0% |
| Count | 52,321 | 52,321 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 17.74 | 17.74 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Farrell bearers went from 52,321 to 52,321 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #652 to #652.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Farrell
FAQ
Farrell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Farrell?
The surname Farrell holds position #652 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 60,805 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 17.74 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Farrell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Farrell, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.9%. The next largest groups are Black (4.8%) and Hispanic (2.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.