Find out how popular the last name Ferren is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ferren.

Ferren, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ferren surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ferren in America

Ferren is the 27646th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ferren surname appeared 870 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ferren.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ferren to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ferren

The surname Ferren has its roots in the British Isles, specifically in England and Scotland, where it emerged in the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a ferryman, someone who transported people and goods across rivers or bodies of water using a small boat or ferry. The name is derived from the Old English word "feren" or the Middle English word "feren," meaning "to carry or convey."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ferren can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is recorded as "Fereman" in this historic document, which suggests its use as an occupational surname in the late 11th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various spellings, including Ferren, Ferron, Ferrand, and Ferreman, across different regions of England and Scotland. Some of the earliest bearers of the name were associated with areas near rivers or bodies of water, reflecting their occupation as ferrymen.

In the 15th century, the name Ferren was recorded in the Hertfordshire Subsidy Rolls of 1428, where a certain John Ferren was listed as a taxpayer. This record provides evidence of the surname's continued use and establishment in the region.

One notable bearer of the surname Ferren was Sir John Ferren (c. 1470-1540), an English politician and courtier who served as the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire during the reign of King Henry VIII. He was also a Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire in 1529.

Another individual of historical significance was Robert Ferren (1545-1620), a Scottish Protestant reformer and scholar who played a vital role in the establishment of the Church of Scotland. He was a prominent figure in the religious and intellectual circles of his time.

In the 17th century, the name Ferren was found in various parish records and court documents across England and Scotland, indicating its continued use and spread throughout the British Isles.

One notable bearer of the surname during this period was William Ferren (1620-1685), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Twyford in Hampshire. He was known for his religious writings and sermons.

Another individual of note was John Ferren (1670-1745), a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the economic development of the city of Glasgow during the early years of the Industrial Revolution.

Throughout its history, the surname Ferren has been associated with a diverse range of professions and backgrounds, from ferrymen and politicians to scholars, clergymen, and merchants. While its origins can be traced back to the occupational role of ferrying people and goods across bodies of water, the name has evolved and spread across different regions of the British Isles, contributing to the rich tapestry of surnames and their meanings.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ferren

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ferren.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ferren was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ferren has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ferren was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ferren, please contact us.

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