Surname Fargus - Meaning and Origin
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Fargus: What does the surname Fargus mean?
The last name Fargus is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Fargr," which means “fierce” or “bold”. It is a descriptive nickname, indicating a person who was energetic and strong.
The surname Fargus is likely of English origin, but can also be found as a variant of the Scottish surname Ferguson. It is first found in England, where it was used by the Anglo-Saxon peoples during the Middle Ages.
The earliest recording of the surname Fargus was found in Yorkshire, England, in 1219, when William Fargus was noted as a witness in the Assize Court Rolls of that county. The name spread to Ireland during the 17th century, with some members of the Fargus family settling in County Mayo; the earliest recorded Irish instance being when Master Thomas Fargus was registered in Dublin in 1683.
It is also believed to have a Norman origin, as it is found in Normandy dating back to the 12th century. The Fargus family made their way to Scotland in the 13th century, settling in Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.
Today, the surname Fargus is most common in the United Kingdom, where it is found in all parts of the country. It is also common throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisFargus: Where does the name Fargus come from?
The surname Fargus primarily originates from Great Britain and specifically, it is believed to have Scottish roots. It is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Fergus, a popular name among Scottish and Irish Gaels. It means "man-strength" or "virility". As with other patronymic surnames, it was formed by adding a suffix "-s", only with the contraction, thus creating Fargus.
Historically, the use of surnames in Scotland began in the 12th century and was often associated with the person's job or place of residence. Thus, the name Fargus could potentially suggest that the ancestors of the Fargus name were strong men, or they were descendants of a man named Fergus.
Today, the surname Fargus is not particularly common and can be found in scattered populations around the world. These include the UK, the U.S., Australia, and Canada. However, it is not especially prominent in any of these places as compared to other surnames. The spread of the name to these regions can be attributed to patterns of emigration, particularly during periods of economic hardship in the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Fargus
The surname Fargus appears to be of Scottish origin and seems relatively uncommon. It could potentially be a variant of the Scottish surname Fergus, which has Celtic roots and means "man strength." Variations of Fergus include Fergie, Fergusson, Ferguson, and Fergusson.
The Fargus surname could potentially have been altered over time due to factors like migration, regional accents, and phonetic spelling. So it could also be connected to the similar-sounding surnames Vargus or Fergus. Additionally, considering the way names were often changed to adapt to different languages or cultures, it might be related to other surnames with similar phonetic sounds or spelling patterns, such as Fargis, Fargas, Fargues, or Fargoso.
Apart from these versions, it is also possible that Fargus could have evolved into or from other surnames through marriage, adoption, or name changes for other reasons. However, without specific genealogical research, it can be challenging to identify all possible variants and spellings accurately. Thus, one should look to personal family histories, immigration records, and other such documents for more precise determination.
Famous people with the name Fargus
- J.B. Fargus: British actor and screenwriter, best known for his portrayal of the character “Fogey” in The Beatles film A Hard Days Night.
- Ernie Fargus: American actor, best known for his appearances in the filmshellac Mission Impossible.
- John Fargus: British actor known for his roles in the films My Friend Flicka and North West Mounted Police.
- Kit Fargus: American actress and comedian, best known for her roles in the films Dear God and A Night at the Roxbury.
- Ronald Fargus: American actor, most well-known for playing the character of Ernie in the television series M*A*S*H.
- William Fargus: American film director best known for directing Cloverfield and for producing Elf and Donnie Darko.
- Julia Fargus: American singer and songwriter who penned the theme song for the 2004 film Bewitched.
- Paul Fargus: British actor and voice actor, most well-known for his roles on such television shows as Eastenders and Doctor Who.
- Joy Fargus: British actress who has appeared in The Bill, Casualty, Eastenders, and other television shows.
- Richard Fargus: British film editor, best known for his work on The English Patient, The Perfect Storm, and Syriana.