Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Fa

The surname Fallon has its roots in Ireland, deriving from the Gaelic name "O'Fallamhain," which means "descendant of Fallamhain." The name is believed to have originated in the province of Connacht, particularly in County Galway, where the O'Fallamhain family was prominent in the medieval period. The name itself is thought to be derived from the word "fall," meaning "leader" or "ruler," suggesting that the original bearers of the surname may have held positions of authority or influence within their communities.

The surname Farris has its historical roots primarily in England and Ireland, with variations also found in other regions. The name is believed to derive from the Old French word "ferrier," meaning "blacksmith," which indicates that the original bearers of the surname may have been involved in metalworking or related trades.

The surname Farrington has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English elements "fearn," meaning fern, and "tun," meaning settlement or enclosure, suggesting a geographical origin related to a settlement near ferns or a fern-covered area.

The surname Fanning has its historical roots in Ireland, particularly associated with the Gaelic name "Ó Fionnain," which translates to "descendant of Fionnán." The name Fionnán itself is derived from the word "fionn," meaning "fair" or "white," suggesting a connection to physical traits or perhaps a notable ancestor known for their light complexion or hair. The Fanning family is believed to have originated in County Tipperary, where they were part of the Gaelic nobility.

The surname Favre has its historical roots in the French-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in France and Switzerland. It is derived from the Old French word "fabrice," meaning "craftsman" or "smith," which indicates that the original bearers of the surname were likely involved in metalworking or other skilled trades.

The surname Faye has its historical roots primarily in France, where it is believed to have originated from the Old French word "fae," meaning "fairy" or "elf." This connection to mythical beings suggests a cultural significance tied to folklore and nature, possibly indicating that early bearers of the name were associated with enchanting qualities or a connection to the land. The surname began to appear in written records during the medieval period, particularly in regions of Normandy and Brittany, where it was often linked to local nobility or landowners.

The surname Farnum has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English elements "fearn," meaning "fern," and "ham," meaning "home" or "village," suggesting a geographical origin related to a settlement characterized by ferns.

The surname Fahey has its roots in Ireland, particularly associated with the Gaelic name "Ó Fathaigh," which translates to "descendant of Fathach." The name Fathach is believed to mean "prophet" or "sorcerer," suggesting a connection to spiritual or mystical roles in early Irish society. The Fahey surname first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, primarily in the province of Connacht, where the family was part of the Gaelic nobility.

The surname Fairfax has its roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French term "fayr" meaning "fair" or "beautiful," combined with "faxe," which refers to a "hair" or "hairy." The name first appeared in the 12th century, particularly in the Yorkshire region, where it was associated with the landowners and the gentry. The Fairfax family rose to prominence during the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly during the English Civil War, when Sir Thomas Fairfax became a notable military leader for the Parliamentarians.

The surname Falconer has its historical roots in medieval Scotland, deriving from the Old French word "fauconier," which means "falconer" or "one who trains falcons." This occupational surname first appeared in the 13th century, particularly in regions where falconry was a popular sport among the nobility. Falconry was not only a pastime but also a symbol of status and skill, and those who practiced it were often associated with the upper echelons of society.

The surname Farnham has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old English elements "fearn," meaning fern, and "ham," meaning homestead or village. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near a homestead characterized by ferns, likely in a rural setting.

The surname Fabian has its roots in the Latin name "Fabianus," which is derived from "faba," meaning "bean." This surname first appeared in ancient Rome, where it was associated with the gens Fabia, a prominent patrician family. The name became popular in the early Christian era, particularly due to Saint Fabian, who served as Pope from 236 to 250 AD.

The surname Faulk has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old French word "faucon," meaning "falcon." This connection suggests that the name may have originally been a nickname for someone who was associated with falconry, a popular sport among the nobility during the medieval period. The surname first appeared in records during the 12th century, particularly in regions where the Norman influence was strong following the Conquest of 1066.

The surname Faucher has its historical roots in France, deriving from the Old French word "faucher," which means "to reap" or "to cut." This occupational surname likely originated in the medieval period, when surnames began to be adopted more widely, around the 12th century. It was commonly associated with individuals who worked as harvesters or reapers, reflecting the agrarian society of the time.

The surname Farquhar has its historical roots in Scotland, particularly in the Gaelic language, where it is derived from the personal name "Farquhar," meaning "dear one" or "beloved." The name is believed to have first appeared in the 12th century, associated with the Gaelic-speaking regions of the Highlands. Over time, the surname became linked to various clans, particularly Clan Farquharson, which played a significant role in the social and political landscape of Scotland.

The surname Farwell has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be a locational surname, derived from the Old English phrase "fare well," which was often used as a parting salutation.

The surname Fairfield has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old English elements "fæger," meaning beautiful or fair, and "feld," meaning field or open land. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near a beautiful field or an area of open land.

The surname Farber has its historical roots in the Yiddish language, deriving from the word "farber," which means "dyer" or "to dye." This occupational surname first appeared in Eastern Europe, particularly among Jewish communities in the 18th and 19th centuries, as Jews often adopted surnames based on their trades or professions. The dyeing industry was significant in medieval Europe, and those who worked in this field were essential to the textile trade, which was a vital part of the economy.

The surname Favier has its historical roots in France, where it is believed to have originated from the Old French word "favier," meaning "bean grower" or "bean seller." This occupational surname likely first appeared in the medieval period, as surnames began to be adopted for identification purposes. The Favier family may have been associated with agriculture, particularly in regions known for their cultivation of beans and other legumes.

The surname Falls has its origins in the English language, deriving from the Old English word "fald," which means "to fall" or "to descend." This surname likely first appeared in medieval England, where it may have been used to describe individuals living near a waterfall or a steep decline in the landscape. Over time, the surname became associated with various occupations, particularly those related to water, such as millers or fishermen, who relied on rivers and falls for their livelihoods.