Farrell, Far(r)el(l)(y) (Farley), Farrill, Ferrall, Fer(r)al(l)(y), Ferrell, Ferrill, Frawley and any O-prefixed (grandson or descendant of) versions of the preceding surnames (Farrell being, by far, the most common spelling is thus the name for the clan) are all Anglicized forms of the Gaelic name Fearghail (fear man + gal valour), (source: "A Dictionary of Surnames". Oxford, 1994.), King of Conmacne who was slain by the Danes in A.D. 1014 at the Battle of Clontarf (NE Dublin). The O'Fearghails were one of the four chief clans of the Conmacne {race of Conmac (son of legendary Fergus MacRoigh and Queen Maedhbh (Maeve)}. They were the princes of Annaly (roughly the Irish midlands); their chief seat of power was Longphort Ui' Fearghail (O'Farrell's fortress) (present-day Longford town). (source:
"Farrell Clan-a brief history" by Hugh Farrell).

The Farrells have been associated with this midland region for almost 1,000 years. The Farrell Clan lost its control of the area just over 300 years ago when they were forced to take flight and lived abroad for 150 years, before returning to an uncertain future, the majority settling in County Longford and others settling elsewhere. Farrells are presently plentiful in the county, but the big numbers live elsewhere, mostly in Dublin. (source: the Farrell Clan)

Our family has been traced back to John Farrell, who was born in Ireland and lived in County Roscommon, probably in the Strokestown area where at least one of his children was born. He married a woman by the name of Anna Carlos. The surname Carlos is prevalent in County Roscommon. Anna and John had at least one child, a son, Joseph Patrick, who was born on Saint Patrick's Day, 1874.

JOSEPH PATRICK FARRELL was born March 17, 1874 in Strokestown. He grew up in Ireland and came to America sometime before 1900. His death certificate said that he had come to the U.S. around 1893. Ellis Island records show a Joseph Farrell, aged 23 years, resident of County Roscommon came on the ship Teutonic on May 1, 1895 from Liverpool, England.

JOSEPH married BRIDGET MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN July 22, 1900 in the Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension, 221 W 107 St New York City. The marriage was witnessed by Thomas Keegan and Bessie McGovern. Bridget, who was born February 11, 1871 in Cuppenaughmore, County Cavin, Ireland, was the daughter of PETER MCLAUGHLIN and ELLEN MCGOVERN.

Although Joseph became a citizen 4/26/1901 in Jersey City in Hudson County NJ at the Court of Common Pleas, he lived most of his life in the South Bronx. He worked for the Pullman Company and was supervisor of the Oak Point yards for many years.

Joseph died March 19, 1928 in Community Hosp, Manhattan, BRIDGET died January 09, 1954 in St. Francis Hospital, Bronx, N.Y.

JOSEPH and BRIDGET had 6 children: