Surname Farewell - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Farewell: What does the surname Farewell mean?
The last name Farewell is derived from the Latin word "vale" which literally translates to "be well." It is thought to be an occupational name for someone who specializes in greetings or a surname taken on by someone who left a place to take up residence elsewhere.
The name Farewell was commonly given to people who had taken up residence in Britain from other countries such as France, Italy and Spain. It is believed to have been originally taken up by those who were traveling or emigrating to new lands, as a way of wishing them a safe journey and good luck.
The surname has a long recorded history, with references made to people with the last name appearing way back in the thirteenth century. It has been, and still is, used as a surname all across Europe, and can be found in records in France and England as early as the sixteenth century.
Overall, Farewell is a relatively popular last name that carries with it a sense of poignancy and significance. It reflects a time when people left their homes in search of a better life, and is a reminder of the important role that a farewell can play.
Order DNA origin analysisFarewell: Where does the name Farewell come from?
The last name Farewell is still quite common today, mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Historically, the name originated in Somersetshire, and spread throughout the nation during the Middle Ages. In England, people with the surname Farewell tend to be concentrated in the counties of east Yorkshire, Devon, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Cambridgeshire.
In Ireland, the surname is concentrated mainly in the county of Dublin. Some research suggests that the surname originated in Ireland during the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century.
Most people who bear the last name Farewell in the U.K. and Ireland are descendants of families with a pastoral background. The surname is derived from the old English phrase “fara wealas,” which means “farewell to strangers.” As such, the surname likely originated as a signal that strangers were not welcome.
The last name Farewell is also found in parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada. In France, there is a small community of Farewells that descend from a family of the same name that moved to France from England in the 18th century. In the United States, the origins of the surname Farewell are not clear, but many people with the surname have strong roots in Virginia.
Today, the last name Farewell is still alive and well in many parts of the world. Its wide distribution across both England and Ireland is a testament to its original origins centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Farewell
The Farewell surname is of English origin and is a variant of Farewell, Farwell, Farwall, Vaugh, and Vahall. It can be spelled Farewall, Fairwell, Farwell, Fahrwahl, Farrwall, Fahrwahl, and Vahall, and is often confused with Farrell, also of English origin.
The Farewell surname is derived from a Middle English surname that means “noble wanderer” or “person from afar,” indicating that the original bearer of the family name may have been a traveler. Early records of the family name date back to the 14th century in England and Scotland, and the name is still prevalent in these regions.
In the United States, the Farewell name is most common in the Midwest and Northeastern states, indicating that these early immigrants of Farewell surname settled in these regions. During the American Revolution, Michael Farwell of Virginia and James Farwell of New Jersey served as soldiers in the American Continental Army.
As with many surnames, variants of the Farewell surname can be found in other countries around the world, including Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Sweden. In addition, the variants Vahall and Vaugh can also be found in Viking-influenced areas of Scandinavia and Northern Europe. In Germany, the Farewell surname appears as Fahrwahl.
Overall, the Farewell surname is a global surname and is still prevalent in English-speaking countries and its variants can be found all around the world. Many of today’s bearers of the Farewell name are descendants of those early immigrants and are proud of their heritage and the legacy of their surname.
Famous people with the name Farewell
- Bruce Farewell: a former professional ice hockey player.
- Margaret Farewell: a Canadian anthropologist and professor.
- Wilma Farewell: an American boxing trainer.
- Alice Farewell: an English folk singer-songwriter.
- Amira Farewell: an American actress, producer and writer.
- Stephen Farewell: a British actor, writer and director.
- Calum Farewell: a Scottish professional soccer player.
- Patrick Farewell: an Australian screenwriter, director and producer.
- Victoria Farewell: a British model, actress and presenter.
- John Farewell: an American inventor and entrepreneur.
- Jessica Farewell: an English painter and illustrator.
- Justin Farewell: an American hip-hop artist.
- Jonathan Farewell: an English actor, comedian and director.
- Mark Farewell: an Australian singer-songwriter and composer.
- Chris Farewell: an American actor and Musician.
- Tom Farewell: an American educational technologist and professor.
- Joseph Farewell: a Canadian mathematician and professor.
- Simon Farewell: an English professional photographer.
- Benjamin Farewell: an English professional footballer.
- Camilla Farewell: an Australian fashion designer.