Surname Ferry - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling the Celtic Roots and Evolution of the 'Ferry' Surname Through iGENEA DNA Testing
The findings from my iGENEA DNA test offered a deep dive into the historical origins and evolution of the Ferry surname. Derived from an ancient Celtic term and passed down through generations, it bears the mark of strength and vigor. While providing no direct connections via the maternal line, the test demonstrated a diverse genetic mix, shining a light on the rich tapestry of my ancestry.
C. Ferry
read moreFerry: What does the surname Ferry mean?
The last name Ferry dates back to the Old French word ferrier, from the Latin word ferrum, meaning "iron". Historically, the surname was used for those who were iron workers by trade, such as armorers, sword makers, and blacksmiths. Over time, it is likely that the surname Ferry started to refer to transport ferrymen who carried goods and people across rivers and streams.
It is thought that the earliest example of the Ferry surname is Fereri du Mare, who is mentioned in the 1199 Pipe Rolls of Suffolk, England. This indicates that the family had been living in the region for some time before that.
In the following centuries, the surname spread throughout Europe and Britain, slowly making its way to America around the 1700s during the colonial period, where branches of the family settled in several of the colonies.
Today, the surname Ferry isn’t as common as it once was, but it is still widely used around the world. In some cases, it has been adapted to various spellings, such as Farrie, Fary, Ferri, and Ferré.
Today, the surname Ferry is a reminder of its history and a testament to the many generations who have proudly carried the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisFerry: Where does the name Ferry come from?
The last name Ferry is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. It is an anglicised form of the Irish name O’Fearghaile, which was derived from the phrase “Ó Féarghaile,” meaning “man of spring” between the 16th and 19th centuries. This Irish surname is believed to have been brought over to the UK during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 1600s, when English and Scottish settlers arrived in Ireland.
The majority of Ferries found in the UK today can trace their ancestry back to the Plantation of Ulster or Scottish Borders region. Ferries can also be found in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but their presence is not as predominant as in the UK.
In England, the highest concentration of Ferries can be found in London, Cambridgeshire, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. Scotland is home to significant numbers of Ferries, particularly in Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Lanarkshire, and Kircudbrightshire.
Incidentally, last name Ferry is also common in the French region of Normandy, where it originated as an occupational name derived from the Old French word “ferrière”, meaning “ironworker” or “ironmonger”.
Variations of the surname Ferry
The most common variants of the surname Ferry are Ferré, Ferrari, Ferraro, and Ferrier. Other spellings, depending on the language in which it appears, may include Ferrey, Ferree, Ferreyro, Ferri, Ferries, and Fery. The surname is thought to have derived either from the Middle English ferre, which means ironworker, or from the Old French ferrer, which means ‘to ferry’. The first surname is an occupational name for an ironworker, while the second is a toponymic name, referring to someone from a place named ‘Ferry’.
The variants Ferrio and Ferreri are also quite common, with the latter being the Italian and Iberian form of the name. Meanwhile, Ferrery and Ferrary are English-language variants that have become outdated in recent years.
In terms of surnames linked by origin to the Ferry surname, these include Ferrari, Ferrero, Ferra, Ferreira, Ferrer, Ferriers, and Ferraris. The ‘Ferrari’ form of the surname is particularly well-known, having been associated with famous Italian motor racing family, the Ferarri. The ‘Ferrero’ surname is also linked to the Ferarri family, as the ‘Ferrero’ family is the original owner of the Ferrari motor company.
The surname ‘Ferryman’ is also a common form of the surname, with ‘Fernandez’ and ‘Fernández’ being derivatives of the same. This name is derived from the Old French ‘ferreiar’ or ‘ferrier’, which itself is derived from the Latin term translated as ‘maker of tools’. This suggests the origin of the Ferryman surname as a reference to a toolmaker - a profession typically associated with blacksmithing or carpentry.
Finally, Ferrell and Farrell are other variants of the Ferry surname, derived ultimately from the Old English “fearh”, which meant ‘brave’ or ‘daring’. These surnames were quite common in 19th century Ireland, and a still found across Northern Ireland, Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom today.
Famous people with the name Ferry
- Bryan Ferry: English singer, songwriter and musician. He first achieved success as the lead singer and main songwriter with the rock band Roxy Music. He had a successful solo career as well, with hits including "Let's Stick Together" and "Slave to Love".
- Rob Ferry: Canadian ice hockey player who plays center for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Phil Ferry: Retired professional baseball player who played from 1998 to 2000 with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League.
- Lewis Ferry: Former professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey Association (NHA). He played for nearly six seasons with various teams including the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto St. Patricks.
- Katonah Ferry: Retired professional baseball player who played two games with the Vancouver Mounties of the Pacific Coast League in 1948.
- Mackinlay K. Ferry: American naval officer and recipient of the Navy Cross for bravery and courage in action during the Spanish-American War.
- Bill Ferry: American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1932-33.
- June Ferry: Singer, actress and dancer who was a star of the Broadway stage in the 1930s.
- Angie Ferry: Canadian alpine skier who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics and won a bronze medal at the 1982 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.
- Katherine Warren Ferry: American Presbyterian author, pedagogue and a leader in the anti-suffrage movement.