Farrell clan
| Ó Fearghail | |
|---|---|
| Country | Annaly, Kingdom of Leinster |
| Parent house | Muintir Anghaile |
| Titles | |
| Founded | 1014 |
The Farrell or O'Farrell clan (Irish orthography: Ó Fearghail) is an Irish clan whose name can be traced back to the Legendary King Fearghail, who was killed fighting alongside Brian Boru in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. King Fergal's grandfather Angall had previously established control over Annaly (Anghaile). All variants of the Farrell name are Anglicized forms of the Gaelic name Fhearghail (fhear = man, ghal = valor). The O-prefix is an Anglicized form of "Uí", meaning the grandsons or descendants of Fhearghail (source: "A Dictionary of Surnames". Oxford, 1994.) The O'Farrell surname is abundant in the present-day midland counties of Ireland, especially in County Longford, where it is second in number only to O'Reilly.
Legendary King Fergal's descendants took the surname Uí Fhearghail, indicating their heritage. These descendants became princes of the territory of Annaly, which corresponds roughly to present-day County Longford. Their chieftain sat at O'Farrell's stronghold (Irish orthography: Longphort Uí Fhearghail), located in the present day town of Longford. The clan is also associated with Moatfarrell (Irish orthography: Móta Uí Fhearghail) in the eastern part of Annaly. Presently, this lies between the towns of Ballinalee and Edgeworthstown.
From the early 11th century until the colonial confiscations of James I in the early 17th century, the Farrell clan maintained control over the Annaly region. This rule was disrupted by repeated English invasions in the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 15th century, the clan regained complete control and had divided into the North Annaly ruling White O'Farrell (Irish orthography: Uí Fhearghail Bán) and the South Annaly ruling Yellow O'Farrell (Irish orthography: Uí Fhearghail Buí). After the Clan-based Gaelic Order had been shattered, many members of the clan became tenants of their old land with English and Scottish landlords.
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