Farrell

Farrell is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic O'Faracháin, meaning "descendant of Farachán." Farachán is a personal name believed to mean "descendant of the small man" or "descendant of the little warrior." The name is most commonly found in County Donegal, Ireland, where the O'Faracháin clan was historically prominent.

The surname Farrell has spread globally due to Irish emigration. Prominent individuals bearing the surname include Colin Farrell, an Irish actor known for his roles in films such as "In Bruges" and "The Banshees of Inisherin." James T. Farrell was an American novelist, best known for his Studs Lonigan trilogy, which depicted working-class life in Chicago.

In the United States, Farrell is a moderately common surname. It is also found in other English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. While the name is primarily associated with Irish heritage, variations and similar-sounding surnames exist in other cultures. Research into specific family histories can often trace ancestral origins to particular regions of Ireland.