Surname Farnum - Meaning and Origin

Farnum: What does the surname Farnum mean?

Farnum is an English surname derived from the old English pre-7th-century terms "fearn" meaning fern, and "ham" indicating a homestead or village. So, the direct translation of Farnum would be "fern homestead". It is a locational surname, which means it is likely to have originated from a place called "Fearnham". The use of surnames began during medieval times, often as a method to differentiate between two individuals with the same first name. People began taking their locality's names, profession, or father's or ancestor's names as their last name. In the case of Farnum, the ancestors probably lived in or near a village abundant with ferns, hence the name "Fern Homestead" or "Farnum". It's also possible it came from the 'fern' field in the settlement, a good identifier for someone who lived near such a place. Like other surnames, it was passed down through generations and has survived till today. It is a rarer surname, and people who bear it can trace their origins back to the British Isles, predominantly in England.

Farnum: Where does the name Farnum come from?

The surname Farnum is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "fearn," meaning fern, and "ham" or "hame," referring to a home or dwelling. Together, the term could denote "fern home" or a place where ferns grow abundantly. It is classified as a habitational name from places like Farnham in Surrey, Essex, and other counties in England where ferns are a common sight.

Today, the name is somewhat common in places where there has been significant British migration, including countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Nevertheless, it remains relatively rare. The name is distributed unevenly across the United States, with a higher concentration in the New England area, which has strong historical connections to England. However, the name is not associated with a significant population in any particular region of the world. Its frequency has also been diluted over the centuries through marriage and name-change practices.

Variations of the surname Farnum

The surname Farnum is of English origin and primarily associated with regions in the United Kingdom. Variants of the surname Farnum may include Farnam, Farnham, Farnum, Farnan, Farmhamm, Fearna, and Fearnan.

The original spelling of this name was Fernham, derived from Old English "fearn" (fern) and "ham" (homestead or settlement). Over time, various spellings evolved due to regional accents and phonetic interpretation during documentation.

Predominantly, the changes in spelling can be attributed to the fact that many scribes and clerks spelled names phonetically without the standardized spelling rules that we use today. Therefore, in the ancient chronicles, a name was often recorded under several different spellings during a single person's lifetime. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames were often changed to align with the social and political trends of different periods.

In terms of associated surnames of the same origin, it is challenging to pinpoint this accurately since the origin of the Farnum name goes back to ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. However, other British surnames originating from geographical locations or features could be considered vaguely related in origin.

Famous people with the name Farnum

• William Farnum: An American stage and film actor, one of the most popular western stars of his time.
• Dustin Farnum: An American singer, dancer, and actor in the silent film era. He was the brother of William Farnum.
• Franklyn Farnum: An American character actor and Hollywood extra who appeared in 433 productions from the 1910s to the 1960s.
• Seth Farnum: A British soccer player who has famously played for Norwich City FC.
• Richard Farnum: An English professional golfer who has won several championships.
• Peter Farnum: A well-known Canadian actor who appeared in notable television shows and movies.
• Marshall Farnum: An American film director of silent films. He was the brother of Dustin and William Farnum.
• Julie Farnum: An American female volleyball player who has won several championships.

Other surnames

Farnume