Farrell

The name Farrell is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Fearghail, meaning 'descendant of Fearghal.' Fearghal itself is a personal name composed of the elements 'fear' (man) and 'gal' (valor, courage), thus meaning 'man of valor' or 'courageous man.' The Ó Fearghail clan was a prominent sept in County Longford, Ireland, and held significant power in the region for centuries. The surname became anglicized as Farrell, O'Farrell, and other variations as it spread beyond Ireland.

While historically a surname, Farrell began to be used as a given name, particularly in the United States, often as a way to honor Irish heritage. Its usage as a first name for males gained some traction in the 20th century, though it remains less common than many other Irish-derived names. More recently, it has seen occasional use for females as well, contributing to its unisex classification.