The Mcfarland Family History

What Does the Mcfarland Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname McFarland has its roots in both Scottish and Irish heritage, deriving from the Gaelic word ‘parlan.’ When prefixed with ‘mc,’ it signifies son of Pharlan or son of Partholan. Variations of the name McFarland include McFarlan, McParlin, McFarlane, MacFarland, McParland, and MacFarland. In England, the majority of McFarland families can be found in the counties of Lancashire, Durham, and Cheshire. In Scotland, the earliest known McFarland families established themselves in Aberdeenshire, while a significant number have resided in the central regions of the country for generations. The counties with the largest concentrations of individuals bearing the McFarland surname include Perthshire, Angus, Lanarkshire, Argyll, and Renfrewshire. Many McFarland families later migrated from Scotland to Ireland, particularly settling in County Tyrone. In the United States, the earliest arrivals with the McFarland surname established themselves in states such as Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri. Notable individuals with this surname include Mark McFarland, a professional race car driver; Daron McFarland, an actor and playwright; Anthony McFarland, a professional football player; George “Spanky” McFarland, a child actor; John McFarland, a professional ice hockey player; Mike McFarland, an actor, writer, and director; and Gary McFarland, a distinguished musician and composer.