Surname Farwell - Meaning and Origin
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Farwell: What does the surname Farwell mean?
The last name Farwell originates from the Middle English phrase “farewel,” meaning “goodbye” or “farewell.” As a surname, Farwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an occupational name for someone who said farewells or worked with those taking leave. It was also used to describe a person originating from the town of Farewell or Farewell Hill.
In England, the Farwell surname is found primarily in the areas around Norfolk, Hertfordshire, and Leicestershire. In Scotland, it is most frequently found in areas surrounding Ross and Cromarty and Ayrshire.
In the United States, Farwell is primarily found in the states of Massachusetts and Maine. It is interesting to note that Farwell migrants originally came to the US from the county of Warwickshire, England, during the colonial period.
Today, Farwell is an English surname that is still used around the world. Although the name itself changes slightly depending upon the region, it still retains its original meaning of “goodbye.” It is a testament to the legacy of the original Farwell settlers and is one of the many legacies of the Anglo-Saxon colonization of the British Isles and the subsequent migration of English settlers to the Americas.
Order DNA origin analysisFarwell: Where does the name Farwell come from?
The last name Farwell is most common in the United States, with the highest concentration in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. According to the US Census of 2020, there were over 20,000 people with the last name Farwell living in the US.
Although the name is most common in the Northeast, it is also found in other parts of the country. Farwell is a popular name in the South, with several hundred people in both Texas and Florida. There are also pockets of Farwells in the Midwest, particularly in Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. On the West Coast, the last name Farwell is prominent in Oregon and California.
Internationally, the Farwell name is much less common. The countries of Canada, Australia, England, and Ireland all have a handful of people with the name, usually immigrants from the United States. The United Kingdom has the highest number of international Farwells of any country, with almost 300 people registered using the name.
Since the Farwell name is still fairly rare, it is sometimes used as a standalone name or hyphenated with other words, such as "Farwell-Jones". In recent years it even has been seen used as a middle or given name.
Despite its rarity, the Farwell name is alive and well today, being carried by people across the United States and around the world.
Variations of the surname Farwell
The surnames Farwell, Farwells, Farweller, Farewell and Farewells all share the same origin.
Farwell is an English name, likely derived from Old English terms for “journey” and “farewell.” It appears to have been a nickname for someone who was known to be a traveler who offered farewells to the people he met. Variants of Farwell include Farwells, Farweller, Farewell and Farewells.
The most common spelling in the United States today is Farewell. It is more common in some states, such as California and Massachusetts, than others. It first reached the shores of the United States in the 1600s, likely with early English settlers.
Farwell is the spelling most commonly used in the United Kingdom. In England, Wales and Scotland, Farewell and Farweller are the two most commonly used spellings. In Scotland, Farwell and Farweller are especially common.
Modern surnames derived from Farwell include Farwell, Farewell, Farwells, Farewells, Farweller and more. Sometimes these surnames can also be spelled Farel, Farelly, Ferel, Ferrell, Ferreller, Ferrelly, Ferrel, Farrell, Farrelly and Ferally. It is important to keep in mind that these variations in spelling might indicate a different origin of the surname.
Famous people with the name Farwell
- Miles Owen Farwell: Miles Owen Farwell was a United States Senator from Minnesota.
- Henry Farwell: This Henry Farwell was a Massachusetts politician who served as a Representative in the Massachusetts General Court in the early 19th century, from 1811 to 1815.
- Joseph Farwell: Joseph Farwell was anAmerican clergyman and a Baptist minister.
- Alfred Farwell: Alfred Farwell was an American inventor, tirant, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his invention of an improved turpentine still.
- Bob Farwell: Bob Farwell is a former American football player who played in the NFL from 1979 to 1987.
- Walter Farwell: Walter Farwell was a 19th-century American lawyer and politician, son of Henry Farwell.
- Robert Farwell: Robert Farwell was a United States Army officer who served as a major general in the Spanish-American War.
- John T. Farwell: John T. Farwell was a 19th-century businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader who resided in Chicago.
- Augustus Farwell: Augustus Farwell was an American soldier who served in the United States Army during the American Civil War and the Philippine-American War.
- Seth Farwell: Seth Farwell was a 19th-century American farmer and politician from Maine who served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives.