Farrell clan
Encyclopedia
The Farrell or O'Farrell clan (Ó Fearghail in Irish
) is an Irish clan
that traces its origins back to the battle of Clontarf
in 1014. The descendants of Fearghal, who fought alongside Brian Boru
at the battle of Clontarf, took the surname of Uí Fhearghail (descendants of Fearghal). The Uí Fhearghail went on to become Princes of the territory of Anghaile (Annaly), roughly corresponding to present day County Longford
, their chieftain sitting at Longphort
Uí Fhearghail (O'Farrell's stronghold), present day Longford town
. Another site associated with the clan was Moatfarrell (Móta Uí Fhearghail), in the east of Annaly between the present day towns of Ballinalee
and Edgeworthstown
.
The clan's control of Annaly was disrupted by the English invasions of the 12th and 13th centuries, but by the 15th century, the clan had reasserted control over the territory. They had divided into two family subgroups, Uí Fhearghail Bán (White O'Farrell) and Uí Fhearghail Buí (Yellow O'Farrell), controlling the north and south of Annaly respectively.
The clan lost most of their lands during the colonial confiscations of James I
in the early 17th century, with many of the clan members becoming tenants of the new English and Scottish landlords in what was now County Longford.
The family name is still common in the midland counties of Ireland, especially in County Longford, where it is second only to O'Reilly
in number.
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
) is an Irish clan
Clan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
that traces its origins back to the battle of Clontarf
Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious...
in 1014. The descendants of Fearghal, who fought alongside Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
at the battle of Clontarf, took the surname of Uí Fhearghail (descendants of Fearghal). The Uí Fhearghail went on to become Princes of the territory of Anghaile (Annaly), roughly corresponding to present day County Longford
County Longford
County Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
, their chieftain sitting at Longphort
Longphort
A longphort is a term used in Ireland for a Viking ship enclosure or shore fortress. Longphorts were originally built to serve as camps for the raiding parties in...
Uí Fhearghail (O'Farrell's stronghold), present day Longford town
Longford
Longford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county...
. Another site associated with the clan was Moatfarrell (Móta Uí Fhearghail), in the east of Annaly between the present day towns of Ballinalee
Ballinalee
Ballinalee, formerly St Johnstown , is a village in north County Longford, Ireland. It is situated on the River Camlin, and falls within the parish of Clonbroney....
and Edgeworthstown
Edgeworthstown
Edgeworthstown or Mostrim is a town in County Longford, Ireland. The Edgeworthstown name is derived from the Edgeworth Family who have a long association with the town as the family estate of Henry Essex Edgeworth de Firmont was nearby, while Mostrim is an anglicisation of the town's pre-conquest...
.
The clan's control of Annaly was disrupted by the English invasions of the 12th and 13th centuries, but by the 15th century, the clan had reasserted control over the territory. They had divided into two family subgroups, Uí Fhearghail Bán (White O'Farrell) and Uí Fhearghail Buí (Yellow O'Farrell), controlling the north and south of Annaly respectively.
The clan lost most of their lands during the colonial confiscations of James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
in the early 17th century, with many of the clan members becoming tenants of the new English and Scottish landlords in what was now County Longford.
The family name is still common in the midland counties of Ireland, especially in County Longford, where it is second only to O'Reilly
O'Reilly
O'Reilly is the Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Raghallaigh. It is also the patronymic form of the Irish name Reilly . It is commonly found throughout Ireland, with the greatest concentration of the surname found in County Cavan followed by Longford, Meath, Westmeath, Fermanagh and Monaghan, and...
in number.
Name Variants
Variants of the name Farrell include:- (O')feral
- (O')Farrell
- (O')Farrelly
- (O')Farrely
- (O')Farrel
- (O')Farelly
- (O')Farell
- (O')Farrelli
- (O')Farely
- (O')Farel
- (O')Farley
- (O')Farrill
- (O')Ferrall
- (O')Ferraly
- (O')Ferral
- (O')Ferally
- (O')Ferall
- (O')Feraly
- (O')Feral
- (O')Ferrell
- (O')Ferrill
- (O')Frawley
- (O')Fearghail